The prospect of Lewis Hamilton donning the enduring Ferrari crimson had been talked about for a few years, however the timing of final week’s announcement actually took everybody abruptly, together with Daniel Ricciardo.
The System 1 group was despatched reeling in early February when the bombshell information of Lewis Hamilton’s transfer to the Scuderia in 2025 grew to become official.
Sometimes, driver actions throughout the sport solidify and grow to be public data throughout the summer time break, providing a way of order and predictability.
However Hamilton’s change, confirmed mere weeks earlier than the 2024 season opener in Bahrain, threw a wrench into that custom.
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“Not shocked within the sense that, may I’ve ever seen him in crimson? Sure,” commented Ricciardo, chatting with RACER’s Chris Medland.
“I may see in his profession and the legacy piece and all of that, in fact. And clearly, it’s a superb workforce, so he’s bought an opportunity of profitable there, for certain.
“However I used to be simply extra thrown by the timing. I believe.
“Clearly I don’t know the inner stuff that goes on there, so clearly there’s the explanation why it bought introduced as early because it did. However that half was what threw me greater than him going to Ferrari.”
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The early announcement fueled hypothesis about inside components at Mercedes that prompted such an uncharacteristic transfer, leaving everybody questioning what triggered this deviation from the same old mid-season shuffle.
However the sudden occasion has left Mercedes in a singular place. Whereas going through the problem of discovering a substitute, the Brackley squad additionally gained an sudden benefit in accordance with Ricciardo.
“I take a look at Mercedes now, they’ve bought a complete 12 months to determine what they’re going to do,” he mentioned.
“And I assume of their place, they’re in no rush. In order that they’ll assess everybody, how they’re doing, the driving force market, no matter. So I assume for somebody like them, it’s in all probability a superb place to be in.”
Because the mud settles on this seismic shift, System 1 enters a interval of hypothesis and intrigue. With a serious seat emptiness created at Mercedes by Hamilton’s departure, and one other maybe set to open up at Purple Bull, the driving force market is bound to warmth up.
Whereas Ricciardo’s title is one which is likely to be a reputation tossed round within the rumor mill, he stays targeted on the current.
“I’m in no way wanting that far forward,” he mentioned. “On this a part of my profession, I believe wanting far forward type of appears like one 12 months nearer to the tip. So it’s extra purpose for me to be current now and positively take it race by race.
“So yeah, foolish season, a part of me can also be blissful to not be in all these loopy issues, particularly this early within the season. So if the foolish season occurs with out me, I’m additionally OK with that proper now!”
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