Renault: "We're an attractive option for Ricciardo"

The season might just be underway, the rumour mill for next season is already in full swing, as Renault have now elected themselves as an attractive option for Daniel Ricciardo, whose free agency after this year is the talk of the town.

Ricciardo is not the only free agent after this year, as Valtteri Bottas, Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton are also amongst the people with an expiring deal, but Hamilton is expected to extend his contract at Mercedes, even though it *still* hasn't happened.

Ricciardo could be taking either Raikkonen or Bottas's seat at Ferrari or Mercedes respectively, but his current team Red Bull should have the best chance of signing the Aussie.

However, there might be another option; Renault. 

The French team are fearing the departure of Carlos Sainz after this season as he's on loan from Red Bull, so they have an empty seat. The team has been on a meteoric rise ever since coming back in the F1, and are a potential giant in the making. 

"We've loaned Carlos Sainz from Red Bull, and it's very possible he returns there after this year, so we're prepared for everything," team principal Cyril Abiteboul said to Motorsport-tota.com.

With the team slowly but surely climbing the table, they will be looking for experienced drivers, people who've been there and done that.

"Ricciardo is a talented driver and he knows what to expect from us.

"We know what we're capable of and where to improve.

"It's in our hands - if we build a good chassis we would be an attractive option for Ricciardo."