- A shock announcement offers opportunities
- F1 is facing a driver reshuffle across the board
- New speculation about where Ricciardo will finish
Speculation is already swirling about who will take the coveted seat vacated by Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, offering Daniel Ricciardo a surprising and important opportunity to end his Formula 1 career.
Following the shock revelation that seven-time F1 world champion Hamilton will leave Mercedes for Ferrari at the end of the 2024 season, fans are imagining the possibility of Ricciardo donning the Mercedes colours.
Hamilton said in a statement: “I have had eleven great years with this team and I am so proud of what we have achieved together. Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old.
“It’s a place where I grew up, so the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. But for me the time has come to take this step and I am very much looking forward to taking on a new challenge.’
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari on a multi-year contract aimed at an eighth title and extending his racing career into his 40s has led to a reshuffle of the driver line-up.
Lewis Hamilton’s shock announcement has opened up a driver position at Mercedes
While Aussie Daniel Ricciardo has been linked with a Red Bull homecoming, he will be in the mix for a drive with Mercedes
The 39-year-old expressed his commitment to ending his tenure at Mercedes on a high note, vowing to deliver his best performance in 2024 alongside new teammate Charles Leclerc, who replaces Carlos Sainz. Sainz, in turn, is now linked to the open seat at Mercedes.
Amid the speculation, Daniel Ricciardo is emerging as a strong candidate.
The Australian driver, who started last year as a reserve for Red Bull but earned a full-time drive with their junior team AlphaTauri (now Visa Cash App RB) due to stellar performances, is being considered for a promotion to Mercedes.
Despite initial talk that he could become Max Verstappen’s number 2 driver in 2024, Red Bull’s Christian Horner has given his unwavering support for Sergio Perez.
“I am absolutely confident that Checo (Perez) will be our driver next year,” Horner told motorsport.com in November.
“If he’s injured or something like that, there are circumstances beyond our control. But the clear plan and therefore the clear intention is that he continues. ‘
Hamilton’s announcement will lead to a host of driver announcements ahead of the 2024 Formula 1 series
“We plan to continue. We announced the AlphaTauri drivers, we have our Red Bull Racing drivers. This is how we want to race in 2024,” Horner continues.
“Checo (Perez) has an agreement with us for next year and our intention is for him to be in the car in 2024.
“We will give him all the support we can to ensure he finishes second (in the drivers’ standings), but there is no condition that if he doesn’t finish second, you are out.”
Ricciardo will drive for AlphaTauri, renamed Visa Cash App RB F1 team, this season and has openly stated that returning to Red Bull would be a dream end to his career.
Other potential candidates for the seat at Mercedes are former Red Bull driver Alex Albon, who has rebuilt his reputation at Williams, and the young prodigy Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a 17-year-old who makes his Formula 2 debut this year and has a unique and unexpected experience. choice.