F1: Daniel Ricciardo contract - 5 possible drivers at Red Bull Racing in 2019

It's a speculation we have been waiting for many months now and the question is still unanswered, who will Daniel Ricciardo be driving for in 2019? and which F1 team is likely signs Ricciardo's contract?

If he was to leave Red Bull behind another question would be which driver gets his seat for next season?

It is understandable why all the big teams want the Australian's signature.

His impressive victory at the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday is a great example of what he can produce. His Red Bull car was low on power early on in the race but he still avoided giving the lead away to Sebastian Vettel.

Ricciardo has so far won two races in the current season making him equal with championship rivals Vettel and Lewis Hamilton.

The options for Ricciardo ahead of the 2019 season look to be Ferrari, Mercedes or sticking with his old Red Bull team mates.

It does look hard to see Ricciardo teaming up with either Hamilton or Vettel when all three drivers will never accept the secondary role.

The season is not even midway through yet but these talks of Ricciardo's future could be up in the air for quite a while yet.

Here are 5 possible Ricciardo replacements at Red Bull for 2019...

#5 Brendon Hartley

"Since we're neighbors, can I have your seat?"

Brendon Hartley would seem a very unlikely choice for Red Bull's Team Principle Christian Horner but when the New Zealander is part of the Toro Rosso team, there must be at least a little consideration for him.

Hartley finally achieved his dream of racing in Formula 1 at the back end of last season.

Carlos Sainz had departed from Toro Rosso to join Renault leaving an empty seat behind.

Hartley was offered the seat ahead of last year's US Grand Prix to team up with Daniil Kvyat while Pierre Gasly was racing in Japan for the final race of the Super Formula Championship.

The last time Hartley drove for Toro Rosso was all the way back in 2009 but only as a test driver.

The 28-year-old did enough to earn a contract for 2018 and has been with Red Bull's secondary team ever since.

#4 Carlos Sainz Jr.

F1 Grand Prix of Hungary

Carlos Sainz Jr was once tipped to be the next big talented driver to join the Red Bull crew.

That was until Renault went in and swooped him up late on in the 2017 championship.

The son of double world rally champion, Carlos Sainz, entered the Formula 1 scene in 2015 for Toro Rosso.

His most impressive drive so far in F1 was when he finished in fourth place, the Spaniard's highest finish, at last year's Singapore Grand Prix.

One of the best drives by the 23 year old caught Renault's eye and off he went replacing Jolyon Palmer before the 2017 championship had even crossed the finish line.

Sainz is a real possibility of going back if only he is to be given a seat at Red Bull and not Toro Rosso.

#3 Valtteri Bottas

Bottas' future at Mercedes is an uncertainty

Valtteri Bottas is another unlikely option for Red Bull if you look at the team's past when it comes to their selecting.

Very much ever since Red Bull took on the F1 challenge in 2005, the team has only ever brought up drivers from their programme and have never brought in an outsider.

Back in the summer of 2013, there were talks of Fernando Alonso being linked to Red Bull but nothing more happened.

Bottas' future at Mercedes is at the moment anyone's guess.

The Finnish has arguably been a good team mate for Lewis Hamilton since he took over from Nico Rosberg in 2017.

Bottas sealed two victories for Mercedes in his first season before being offered a one year add on to his contract.

But with all the rumours of Ricciardo possibly joining Mercedes or Ferrari, it is fair to say Bottas would be the first to leave if the Aussie is to join the constructors' champions.

It's an uncomfortable time for Bottas.

#2 Kimi Raikkonen

Another Fin with an unsure future

Kimi Raikkonen is another outsider for Red Bull's short list but his future at Ferrari looks to be soon coming to an end.

Not only has Ricciardo been strongly linked to the Italian team but so has the young prospect of Sauber's Charles Leclerc.

Sauber are part of the Ferrari setup and have been for some years now.

If Ferrari were to be safe and keep Sebastian Vettel happy for 2019, they would avoid hiring Ricciardo and bring in the 19 year old instead.

Taking on Leclerc would also be a cheaper option compared to Raikkonen or Ricciardo's wages.

It is believed that Raikkonen's contract for 2018 is $40 million, the third highest paid F1 driver, and Ricciardo's current wages is only $6 million.

Raikkonen maybe the fan's favourite on the circuits but his numbers could put off Red Bull from selecting an outsider like the 2007 world champion.

Could 2018 be Raikkonen's final year in F1?

#1 Pierre Gasly

Gasly is the hot favorite

The Frenchman has only been racing in F1 since last year's Malaysian Grand Prix that took place in October. Pierre Gasly is looking to be the no brainer for Red Bull.

However, Gasly has been a thrilling driver to watch since his debut Grand Prix.

The 22 year old did a Carlos Sainz at this season's Bahrain Grand Prix by finishing in fourth place.

Another impressive drive by Gasly was on Sunday when he crossed the finish line in seventh place after denying Nico Hulkenberg, Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz from taking his position throughout most of the race.

Toro Rosso has been a successful project developed by Red Bull so far.

Red Bull's 'academy' team has produced the familiar talents of Sebastian Vettel, when he won Toro Rosso's only victory in F1 at the Italian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen and let's not forget the man himself, Daniel Ricciardo.

If Red Bull would be to carry on their tradition of bringing up their drivers then Gasly is an obvious choice for 2019.

Who would be an ideal replacement for Ricciardo at Red Bull? Have your say in the comments.

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