Ricciardo will "definitely" sign new contract this month

Daniel Ricciardo has now set a new deadline for signing his contract extension at Red Bull following delay.

The Ricciardo contract saga has seemed to roll on for months now and the extension was expected to be signed before the summer break we're now on.

However, for whatever reason, the Red Bull driver now goes into the summer break with a contract not being signed.

The Aussie has said that he will "definitely" sign a new deal with Red Bull in August - either prior to the Belgian Grand Prix, during or after the race.

Ricciardo joked that he lied about the deal being close so the press would stop pestering him.

"Did it look simple? I was just making it up so you guys would stop asking me," Ricciardo joked to Autosport.

"It will definitely be done by Spa. Whether it gets announced over the summer break or in Spa (I don't know).

"(It's) just a little bit of fine-tuning here and there. It's all good. You'll hear something soon, I'm sure."

If a deal is indeed done, it is likely to be for another two years at Red Bull to take his spell with the energy drink brand to seven seasons.

The Australian driver dreams of a world title; whether that will be with Red Bull or if he will have to broaden his horizons and move elsewhere for the good of his own career.