Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton discusses Daniel Ricciardo’s contract situation
By Asher Fair
Four-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton weighed in on the contract situation of Monaco Grand Prix winner Daniel Ricciardo.
Following the dominant performance of Aston Martin Red Bull Racing’s Daniel Ricciardo during the weekend of the Monaco Grand Prix, which included the 28-year-old Australian leading all three free practice sessions, all three qualifying sessions, and all 78 laps of the race around the 19-turn, 2.074-mile (3.337-kilometer) temporary street circuit in Monte Carlo, Monaco, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport’s Lewis Hamilton weight in on Ricciardo’s Formula 1 contract situation.
Ricciardo’s contract with Red Bull Racing is set to expire at the end of the 2018 Formula 1 season, and he has until August to decide whether or not he wants to re-sign with the team or look for a ride elsewhere.
“Elsewhere” would included either Mercedes or Scuderia Ferrari, the top two teams in the sport, as there is literally no chance that Ricciardo would leave Red Bull Racing just to sign with an inferior team.
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Because of the fact that there is simply no reason to believe that Ricciardo will not either stay with the third best team in the sport or sign with one of the sport’s top two teams, there has been tons of speculation in regard to where he could potentially land in the 2019 Formula 1 season and beyond.
Hamilton, the four-time Formula 1 champion whose contract with Mercedes is also set to expire at the end of the 2018 season, is expected to get a new contract from Mercedes in the near future, so while his contract expires when Ricciardo’s does, the two drivers are in somewhat different situations.
Hamilton, however, weighed in on Ricciardo’s contract situation and what his future may hold. Here is what he had to say about the matter, according to ESPN.
"“Obviously in the top areas there’s only Ferrari and Mercedes he could ever consider, but currently here that’s unlikely, I don’t think that’s going to happen. And then if you look at Ferrari I imagine Kimi [Raikkonen]’s going to want to continue. I mean, why not? He’s driving really, really well this year and he doesn’t see to be aging so I think he will go a little bit longer. “Ultimately [Daniel Ricciardo]’s got a teammate that from what I hear is making a lot more money than him yet he’s more consistent, keeping the car together a lot more and more often than not pulling through. So It’s important in the team to always feel you’re valued or at your worth and your contribution to it. I would imagine his future is there, but he’s one of the top drivers so I’m sure there will be options for him.“If at some stage Red Bull get an engine they’re going to be even closer in the mix with us, and there is still a long, long way to go [this year] obviously. Who knows? They could win many more races. So I think he’s just got to keep his head down, keep doing what he’s doing, but he should definitely have a contract on his table and he should have his options ready. I was talking to him and I don’t know if he has all his options already lined out for him and I was like ‘Get them to your manager dude! Let me know if you want me to do it!'”"
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Which team will Daniel Ricciardo end up driving for in the 2019 Formula 1 season and beyond? Will he re-sign with Red Bull Racing, or will he sign with either Mercedes or Ferrari? Within the next few months, we may know the answer to these questions, which could set in motion several other driver moves among different teams.