Is the deal done at Red Bull?

According to a number of people in the Formula One paddock the deal for Daniel Ricciardo to make the step-up up from Toro Rosso to Red Bull has already been signed.

The BBC‘s Formula One pundit Eddie Jordan announced that the deal had already been concluded ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix and then held a very interesting interview with Red Bull Racing team principal Christan Horner during the channel’s live show.

Red Bull of course are still pushing the line that no deal has been agreed.

Although outgoing driver Mark Webber, clearly not adverse to ruffling a few feathers during his final few months with the team, went against the party line to tell Australia’s Channel 10: ‘The decision has been made. We all know who it is. I’m happy with that decision. It’s good for him and Australia.’

Webber’s comments while not naming Ricciardo directly couldn’t really have been any more obvious considering the Red Bull Racing development driver is the only other Australian on the Formula One grid.

But despite all of the above Red Bull wouldn’t cave in making their announcement. Horner instead preferring to push the line that Red Bull have been ‘surprised’ by the interest they have received in the vacated seat with a huge hint towards Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso putting himself in the frame alongside the Lotus’ Kimi Raikkonen.

‘There is plenty of speculation around but nothing has been signed yet, The situation is that we have time to contemplate our selection and there will be no announcement before Monza.

‘Mark [Webber] is not privy to all of our discussions with the drivers but when we are comfortable to announce the decision then we will announce it.’ Horner told Sky Sports.

‘We still haven’t fixed anything. We’re taking our time to evaluate all our options, and we’ve been surprised about what those options are, Kimi is without doubt a class driver, but we are also thinking of the future, and there are so many things we have to take into account. He’s driven very well this season, probably better than last year, but he’s very much his own man as well.’