Ricciardo insists the new Hamilton contract won’t affect his future in F1
Both Hamilton and Ricciardo have enjoyed plenty of on-track battles in the past. (Via Formula 1)
Daniel Ricciardo has brushed off any suggestions that a new deal for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes would make returning to the F1 grid in 2024 more difficult as he prepares on a year out of the sport. He won’t let anything affect his future in F1 because he plans to “come back with a vengeance” in 2024.
Next season Ricciardo will be replaced by Oscar Piastri, a fellow Australian at McLaren. With only one vacancy on the 2023 grid, things are almost certain that he won't compete next season.
Ricciardo remains open to being a reserve driver, working his way back to a race seat for the 2024 season.
Ricciardo’s name is recently linked to Mercedes, who need to replace AlphaTauri Nyck de Vries.
Even so, promotions from reserve duties to a race seat at the Silver Arrows seem unlikely to happen in the near future, especially with George Russell, who tied down on a long-term deal, and teammate Hamilton confirming over the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend that he plans on resigning a new contract with Mercedes.
Sources:
F1. (2022, November 4). Ricciardo insists new Hamilton contract wouldn't affect his F1 future as he aims to 'come back with a vengeance' in 2024: Formula 1®. Formula 1. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.ricciardo-insists-new-hamilton-contract-wouldnt-affect-his-f1-future-as-he.njoqmlge4S9irGhkIVrvS.html
F1. (2022, October 27). Driver market: Hamilton targeting 'multi-year' contract renewal with Mercedes: Formula 1®. Formula 1. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.driver-market-hamilton-targeting-multi-year-contract-renewal-with-mercedes.3mpDSEMyD5pfoB2TEcDoWj.html