Daniel Ricciardo has played down media reports linking him with a move to Ferrari.

As Kimi Raikkonen continues to mystify and frustrate, one minute as blindingly fast as ever, the next a guy seemingly going through the motions, it is inevitable that the media - keen to generate some (any?) excitement in to the sport, shifts attention to the future of the feisty Finn and who might replace him.

Currently, Valtteri Bottas and Nico Hulkenberg are the favourites, but now, seemingly, Daniel Ricciardo has entered the frame.

Speaking at his team's annual Open House event, held this year at Stony Stratford Cricket Club, Ricciardo, though clearly flattered at the talk, was keen to play it down.

"I guess I'm not the only name that's been linked with them," he said. "Don't get me wrong, it's nice to be talked about and considered, it's a compliment. Whether it moves forward or not… it's all just talk for now.

"I do have an Italian passport," he added. "I'm not going to say 'No, I wouldn't like to', that's not fair. It's obviously the history. Growing up as a kid, Red Bull wasn't really around. When I was three or four years old, all the racing tops I had were Ferrari.

"Dad was a massive fan," he admitted, "he was born in Italy and it's a little bit in his blood, his passion for the brand and the team. The only thing I really knew as a kid was red cars."

Team boss Christian Horner was only too glad to play down the speculation.

"He's on a long-term contract with the team," said the Briton, himself the subject of speculation in recent weeks.. "There's no option for him not to be at Red Bull next year. They would have to talk to us about it rather than the driver. It's a very straightforward agreement."

Ricciardo, whose resolve has been seriously tested this year, leading to that fabulous grin to slip from his face, if only momentarily, added. "We're not talking about contracts or anything... first and foremost what I want is to win.

"A lot of my frustration this year is because of that," he admitted. "We're not in a position to win. As a driver that is really the only thing you want, at least at this point in my career when I'm still young and hungry and I feel like I have a lot of potential in me."

Meanwhile, Alberto Antonini, head of Ferrari's press office, was clearly amused by the speculation.

"It's nice to have something to read on the beach," he said, "and it's been the norm at this point in the season to talk about a bit of everything, but the truth of the matter within the team couldn't be more straightforward. There are two seats and at the moment, they are both taken. We are sure many a driver would love to drive for Ferrari, but at the moment, the situation is clear: we have two nominated race drivers."