Daniel Ricciardo has confirmed he is ready to commit his immediate future to Red Bull.

There was considerable uncertainty about where the 29-year-old would be spending the 2019 season amid speculation linking him with Mercedes.

That is no longer an option, however, with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas both staying put.

Ricciardo has suggested that after protracted negotiations, he could put pen to paper as soon as next week as Christian Horner pushes to get the deal done.

As useful as it may be to keep other teams guessing, the Australian has admitted it is now just the final details that need to be ironed out as the bulk of his terms have been agreed.

"The picture with everyone else is starting to be pretty clear, so I'll focus on [this race] and then I guess probably early next week I'll try and get everything done," he said, via Autosport.

"I'd love to go on break with everything signed and done, but even if I don't sign it next week for example, as long as I know during the break that I know what I want to do, then I'm happy enough.

"If we put pen to paper, then, we'll see, we can take some time." 

Could he still join Mercedes next year? 

Speculation has not ended entirely and the length of Ricciardo's contract will still have fans talking about the potential of him changing teams in the future.

Interestingly, when the question was put to him whether the situation at Mercedes - with Bottas only confirmed for another year - had influenced him at all, he responded:

"Maybe. But really not looking at Bottas, just in general, there's obviously going to be some changes, I guess within the team as well, so... We'll see.

"I honestly haven't agreed to anything yet. I won't say any more, I'll shut up!"

He was also pressed on whether he was the one who had instigated the signing of a new deal, to which he replied:

"The majority, I would say... The majority."

Ricciardo will start the German Grand Prix from the back row following a penalty for using too many engine parts. 

Do you think Ricciardo should stay with Red Bull long term? Have your say in the comments.