F1 Mexico City Grand Prix: Daniel Ricciardo on Mercedes reserve role - “my future not relative” to Lewis Hamilton’s decision
Hamilton, 37, has confirmed that he expects to extend his Mercedes deal b☂eyond the 2023✨ season.
Ricciardo, 33, is without a seat in the 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:F1 2023 driver line-up after being axed ꦬby McLaren and his next step will be a reserve driver role with Mercedes, according to Sky.
Hamilton’s decision to race on into 2024 and beyond will not impact Ricciardo♓’s decision, the Australian said: “My future is not relative to what others do.
“Opportunities will arise when they do. But I’m not banking on anyone doing something so that I c෴an [step in].
“I want to take the time that is necessary, keep a little distance to the sport, to rebuild mys🍬elf.
ꦉ“If something makes sense in 2024 I will come ba🌠ck with a vengeance, have some fun, and hopefully race at the front.”
Hamilton had previously urged Ricciardo not to accept a reserve role and to continue racing, but t🅠he McLaren driver has seen vacancies at Alpine, Haas and ꦑWilliams come and go.
A reserve role at a major team is seen as a ploy to keep Ricciardo in the mix for a high-profile return to F1 in 2♉024.
Ricciardo denied that he wants to replace Hamilton: “The truth is that I want him to stay in the sport꧙.
“He’s one of the greatest to ever do it.
“Competing with him, going wheel-to-wheel with him, is awesome. I wish to do more of that in the future. That’s where it current🍷ly lies.”
Ricciardo is currently 12th in the 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:F1 standings with 29 points compared to teammate 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Lando Norris’ 109.
He emotionally said “I don’t know how I am continuing” last week after a drab race in t📖he United States.
Now ahead of the 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:F1 Mexico City Grand Prix he ref🌜lected: “Fresh off a race✤, you have not debriefed or assessed anything.
“I knew from early that it would be a stꦜruggle. I felt helpless in battle.
“It was normal to feel how I did.
“A few days removed, coming into this race, I have a spring in my step and I 💧have an🥃other chance to get it right.”
James was a sports journalist at Sky Spor🗹ts for a decade covering everything from American sports, to football, to F1.
