Hamilton warns F1 rival Ricciardo not to “alienate” Red Bull

Lewis Hamilton has urged Formula 1 rival Daniel Ricciardo to avoid “rocking the boat” and risk alienating Red Bull amid ongoing contract negotiations about his future with the team.

Ricciardo is in his final year of his current Red Bull deal and is yet to sign an extension for 2019, as he weighs up his future F1 options, with potential seats becoming available at Mercedes and Ferrari at the end of this season.

But four-time world champion Hamilton has warned Ricciardo not to cause any friction and ruin his relationship with his current employers in his bid to secure a drive in machinery capable of winning titles.

“An important thing really is to look at the history of drivers and things that drivers have said in the past, and try not to alienate the team that you are in,” Hamilton said in Thursday’s pre-race drivers’ press conference in Melbourne.

“It’s all good and well hoping at some stage to experience something new at another team, but there’s a lot of people in our teams and it’s really important to keep them encouraged and focused on you as a driver to help you achieve your goal.

“There are some drivers of recent years who have made bad decisions in upsetting and rocking the boat. He’s in a great place this year and i think Red Bull can have a fighting chance of winning the championship and opinion of where you want to go, if it’s not currently where he is, may shift.”

Sebastian Vettel - who was out-performed by Ricciardo during their one-year spell together as teammates at Red Bull in 2014 - said he “would not mind” being partnered by the Australian at Ferrari, but does not think it is wise to rush into a decision.

“I don’t know what he is up to or what he wants, or how much he is asking but I’m confident he’ll find a seat. I think he has a couple of options and I don’t think he needs to rush.”

Ricciardo remained tight-lipped on the subject and confirmed he will be putting his contract negotiations on hold for the time being.

“I feel like I’ve answered already so many questions on contract talks and we haven’t even got the first race of this year done. I’m just going to put all of those talks on hold for a while.”