Why Mercedes has to pursue Ricciardo
Four of the top six Formula 1 drives are technically up for grabs for 2019, but in reality there's only one vulnerable driver and one clear candidate to replace him - argues our technical consultant as he answers more of your questions
Mercedes has Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas out of contract, Daniel Ricciardo is yet to re-sign for Red Bull and Ferrari has not given Kimi Raikkonen a new deal yet - so four of the top six F1 drives are technically available. What would you do if you were running each of those teams - and what do you think they will actually do?
Miguel Lopez, via email
Keeping Lewis Hamilton should be a major focus for Mercedes. After all, he is the one that brings home the results.
Share Or Save This Story
Ask Gary: Is there value in crossovers like Hamilton/Rossi?
Gary Anderson: How F1's 'privateers' really fared in 2019
F1's 'big four' teams' real 2019 performance levels revealed
What F1 learned from Ferrari's fuel breach
Ask Gary: Will the 2021 rules mean a Mercedes car concept change?
Where did Red Bull-Honda's pace come from?
Will Wolff's absence affect Mercedes in Brazil?
F1's prescriptive 2021 rules will only cause design convergence
FIA: EV, hybrid, ICE power on the table for WRC 2027
Alliance BTCC squad plans to replace Fords for 2026
Colapinto interview: "I know what I can do, I was expecting to be quick"
Rins: Leg injury not the reason for poor results
Ranking the real 2025 F1 driver line-up pecking order
Will Sauber's C44 go down as F1's best point-less car, or are there better contenders?
When McLaren conquered F1 and the Indy 500
How Hulkenberg transformed his F1 career with Haas
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
