After a strong start to his 2018 Formula 1 campaign, Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo is now facing claims that he has already signed a pre-contract with Ferrari for next year.

Following these reports, the Aussie driver categorically stated that the rumors aren’t true and that he’s only been in talks with Red Bull regarding his future.

“Even already last year we have been pretty open with each other and through the media as well they say they are interested in keeping me. We have had some talks regarding this”, Ricciardo said.

“I am aware of other reports, but there hasn’t been anything else. They are not true. At least not up until now. Certainly not.”

Ferrari might indeed be interested in signing him to replace Kimi Raikkonen, though given how he feels about the Italian team’s current strategy, with Sebastian Vettel being the clear number one driver, it doesn’t seem likely.

“I wouldn’t want to go somewhere where I didn’t feel I had a chance,” he commented. “If someone said ‘we will let you here but you can’t do this’, that is not an attractive option to me. Is that the case somewhere? I honestly don’t know what is going on with other teams.”

With three races in the bag in 2018, Ricciardo has amassed 37 points in the Drivers’ standings, trailing leader Sebastian Vettel by just 17 points. His best result so far has been his win in China.

During an interview with Autosport, the Red Bull driver was asked if he thinks he’ll get curious about possibly moving to another team.

“I don’t know. I think the curiosity will not overcome the facts, in terms of what options I will have and which car is ultimately the fastest, that is really the top of my list”, he replied.

“I wouldn’t just go somewhere else for a change. If I did move on, I would make sure I felt it was potentially better, that is all.”