Daniel Ricciardo addresses Mercedes F1 links following Lewis Hamilton switch

Daniel Ricciardo laughs as Toto Wolff looks on angrily — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

Ricciardo addresses Mercedes F1 links following Hamilton switch

The Australian has been linked with a move to the Brackley-based team

Originally written by Sam Cook. This version is a translation.

Tuesday 13 February 2024 03:57

Daniel Ricciardo has refused to be drawn on whether he is a candidate for the soon-to-be-vacant second seat at Mercedes.

The Australian's contract with Visa Cash App RB ends at the conclusion of the 2024 season, coinciding with Lewis Hamilton's departure from the team for Ferrari.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton's shock move to Ferrari may have sparked chaos in the driver market, with Mercedes now looking at several options to partner George Russell heading into the future.

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On top of this, Ricciardo has also been linked with a stunning return to his old Red Bull team, with the world champions' driver Sergio Perez also out of contract at the end of 2024.

Ricciardo made his full-time return to the Formula 1 grid last season, when Nick de Vries' poor performances led to an opportunity for the man who had previously been axed from his McLaren contract back in 2022.

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The so-called Honey Badger has been given a unique and exciting opportunity to help the rebranded VCARB team to become a more competitive outfit, standing on their own two feet away from the shadow of their sister team Red Bull.

Now, Ricciardo has been reacting to Hamilton's stunning move to the Maranello-based team, reflecting on Mercedes' tough choice ahead of them.

“Mercedes has plenty of time to figure that out,” he told RACER. “They can consider all kinds of things, so in that respect they are doing well.

“In this part of my career, I think looking far ahead kind of feels like one year closer to the end. So it’s more reason for me to be present now and definitely take it race by race.

“So silly season, part of me is also happy to not be in all these crazy things, especially this early in the season. So if the silly season happens without me, I’m also OK with that right now!”

Red Bull Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Mercedes McLaren Daniel Ricciardo