Ricciardo admits desire to be partnered with Hamilton

  • Published on 11 Feb 2018 13:29
  • comments 7
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Daniel Ricciardo has revealed that he would one day like to be teammates with four-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Ricciardo, who has won a Grand Prix on five occasions, is currently paired with Dutch star Max Verstappen at Red Bull, with the two enjoying a publicly healthy relationship.

Ricciardo joined Red Bull in 2014 alongside Sebastian Vettel who was coming off the back of four consecutive world championships. The Australian claimed three race victories that year, as well as getting the better of Vettel in qualifying 12 times.

In 2017, their first full year as teammates, Verstappen out-performed Ricciardo in qualifying, while Ricciardo finished ahead in the drivers' standings. Earlier this week, Ricciardo admitted he was overdriving the car due to the pressure Verstappen was applying.

The 28-year-old's current contract with Red Bull expires at the end of this season, casting doubt over his future with the energy drink-backed team. When asked by RACER if he can be teammate to any of the drivers currently at Mercedes or Ferrari, he said: "I think so.

"I've never really been too fussed about the type of teammate. People will probably call me a liar for this but I would like a fast teammate. For two reasons: It's always going to get more out of yourself, and it's going to be more of a true evaluation of how good you are and where you stand.

"I'm in this sport, yes to win, but to win by being the best, not getting lucky or whatever. If I win a title I want to know that I was the best guy that year. To be the best you have to go against the best and I've certainly got a very good one alongside me in Max [Verstappen]. I would like to go against Lewis at some point, irrespective of team situation. That would be fun."

Replies (7)

Login to reply
  • What he is basically saying is that he'd love having a Mercedes seat, and who wouldnt? I expect them to still have the best car in 2018 as a whole, and even if their chassis isnt foolproof, their engine will make up for it.

    • + 0
    • Feb 11 2018 - 13:38
    • Well, IF......Honda come up with a reliable good engine this upcoming season, I bet he will change his mind. And what Mercedes concerning. At some stage even they stock with the development of the engine, were others get the chance to close up.

      • + 0
      • Feb 11 2018 - 14:04
    • Yes, IF Honda come up with something good. Sadly we dont know that, and I dont expect that to incarnate in something equal to Ferrari, at least not this year. We can only hope they will stumble upon some issue, but its not likely. Its Mercedes we are talking about. It was one thing back when we saw some MGU-K failures from them every now and then, but that was 2 years ago.

      • + 0
      • Feb 12 2018 - 06:31
  • denis1304

    Posts: 284

    someone is preparing to renegotiate contract at RB

    • + 0
    • Feb 11 2018 - 16:01
  • reg

    Posts: 162

    Again many more yawns!
    He's a very quick driver,and clearly a decent guy, but!
    To win you have to have the right contract and I doubt he's on Mercs list, plus after Hamilton I suspect Merc will replace him with a German, did they enjoy Dick Seaman doing well in the 30s, did they enjoy Fangio and Moss in the 50s - no do they enjoy Hamilton now, look how they manipulated 2016 so Rosberg won! If you want a drive at Merc in 2019 make sure you are German (Austrian might just cut the Mustard, Aussie no)

    • + 0
    • Feb 11 2018 - 17:52
  • I think the headline was quite deceiving. Seemed quite clear Ricciardo simply wants to race against the best drivers. By the way, as much as Lewis was willing in the past to go against any driver, I don't think he would willingly allow for Bottas to be replaced by Ricciardo. He's already c***blocked Alonso for the same reason: he doesn't want to be challenged in any serious way

    • + 0
    • Feb 12 2018 - 01:10
    • It wasnt that he was willing, it was that he had no other choice. We've seen over and over that he hasnt mixed well with competitive team mates. If you dont go along well with Button, the most easy going driver (second only to Ricciardo), then you wont get along with many. But now he is the Monark of Mercedes. He can decide on whom he can have alongside him, and he wont choose a potential usurper.

      • + 0
      • Feb 12 2018 - 16:27

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 2,638
  • Podiums 100
  • Grand Prix 188
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (26)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar