Lewis Hamilton has voiced his support for Daniel Ricciardo after it was announced that he would leave McLaren at the end of the 2022 campaign.
Ricciardo joined McLaren last year on a three-year deal, but a run of underwhelming performances has seen the two parties split early.
The Australian is not yet signed up for 2023, however he has been linked with moves to Alpine and Haas.
Ricciardo’s severance from McLaren has raised questions regarding drivers signing multi-year deals, with Hamilton stating there are benefits and disadvantages to long-term deals.
“Just from my personal experience, I think there’s pros and cons always in all different scenarios,” Hamilton said.
“I remember when I signed at McLaren, I signed a loan deal. And I think that was good at the time.
“When you do short deals… it takes time to bond with a team, it takes time to build relationships, it’s not something that you can do in half a year or a year.
“I’m incredibly grateful for my journey with my team because we’re still continuously improving and growing closer and, and starting to actually create some change.
“But to each their own, whatever works. I look down, and see what other drivers are doing. It doesn’t matter what I think, whether I think it’s right or wrong, it’s what they feel is right.
“And at the end of the day, just the opportunity to re-sign with the team is an amazing scenario.
“It’s really unfortunate for Daniel. I still think he has he deserves a place here in the sport. So I really hope there’s somewhere great for him, because he’s still got lots to achieve.”
McLaren is expected to field Oscar Piastri alongside Lando Norris in 2023, after the reigning Formula 2 driver rejected a drive with Alpine.
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