Will Daniel Ricciardo join Mercedes to replace Lewis Hamilton?

Will Daniel Ricciardo join Mercedes to replace Lewis Hamilton?

F1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo

A few weeks back, Daniel Ricciardo and McLaren announced that they would be parting ways at the end of the season having spent 2 years together in Formula One. This was a big shock to the fans as the driver has confirmed just a few days back that both him and the team intend to and will be competing together in 2023. Aussie driver Oscar Piastri will be replacing the 8 time race winner at McLaren.

This effectively means that Daniel Ricciardo doesn’t have a contract for next season. Reports suggested that the Aussie driver is even willing to become a reserve driver for a team like Mercedes and that his management has already contacted the team about this opportunity. Some people in the paddock think that Ricciardo joining Mercedes will help him learn the engine and cars powered by them better which could further end up getting him an opportunity with a Mercedes powered car.

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If Daniel Ricciardo ends up becoming the reserve driver for Mercedes, he could be in line to replace Lewis Hamilton if he decides to retire from the sport. Although when Lewis heard of this rumour, he addressed it and claimed that he wants to continue racing for as long as possible and that Daniel is too good to be a reserve driver.

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“If I was managing him, he’d be racing,” Lewis Hamilton on Daniel Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo
Daniel Ricciardo and Lewis Hamilton did a shoey after winning the Grand Prix

“I think he should be racing, firstly,” Hamilton said ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix. I think he’s far too talented — he’s earned the right to be amongst us all racing. Of course if he’s a part of our team, it’d be great, but a third role is not really, I think, the space for him. If I was managing him, he’d be racing,” he said.

Daniel Ricciardo will be leaving as McLaren’s last race winner. The last race being Monza from last year and since F1 is racing on the historic track this weekend, it must have unlocked some fond memories for the Aussie. It would be a farce if Daniel isn’t a part of the sport next season. He is the pride and joy of the paddock and always manages to put a smile on others.

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