Daniel Ricciardo is close to extending his stay at Red Bull for two more years.

A two-year contract extension will see the 28-year-old continue his partnership with partner Max Verstappen in what promises to be an exciting era for the team as Honda recently signed an engine deal with Red Bull.

The Australian told reporters this week that he expected to confirm a new deal “soon”.

A deal is on the cards also because Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko said he felt that it was “getting closer.”

“It’s not over yet, but it will come… Soon. The time is not far away,” Ricciardo said.

A move to Ferrari or Mercedes seems unlikely for the racer, who will be out of contract at the end of the year.

Ferrari have been strongly linked with a move to sign Monegasque Charles Leclerc as Kimi Raikonnen‘s replacement while Mercedes might retain an unchanged line-up for 2019.

“Mercedes and Ferrari both have a number one driver who is clearly declared,” said Marko.

“I know Ricciardo did not receive an offer from Ferrari and Renault, as far as I know, will stay with their current drivers.

“Above all, Renault I don’t think are in the budget region that Ricciardo has in mind. He has no sporting alternative to us, even if he probably imagined it differently.

“We want him, to continue, but not at any price.”