Lewis Hamilton has backed Daniel Ricciardo’s decision to join Renault in 2019, calling the move “brave”.
Before making the choice that shocked the Formula 1 paddock, the Australian pointed to Hamilton’s own switch from a perceived top team at McLaren to a strong midfield team at Mercedes in 2013 as inspiration.
While many have pointed out the risks are likely a lot less in his case, as Mercedes was building towards 2014 and the hybrid era, Hamilton does see the positives in trying something different.
“I’m really happy for him,” said the 33-year-old. “It’s always brave to make a decision that’s out of the norm, knowing that people are going to have opinions about it, and still halfway through a season not knowing how the next year’s going to go.
“It’s an exciting period for him. A lot of people in life are scared of change, of what’s different, and therefore get stuck in a space that’s not their happiest space but they get by.
“It’s cool to see that Daniel, similar to me, is wanting to elevate himself, wanting to try something new, and learn from it – good or bad, and take the risk.”
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Ricciardo will be partnering Nico Hulkenberg at the French manufacturer and one man who has plenty of experience alongside him is Sergio Perez following their time together at Force India.
Commenting on the current Red Bull driver’s call, the Mexican believes it is a testament to those teams not among the ‘big three’.
The Ricciardo to Renault [move] is quite an interesting one,” he was quoted by F1i.com. “I think… to have someone like him in the midfield will just show how strong the midfield is at the moment.
“I think if things stay the same for next year, and the midfield is so close together, he’s going to enjoy a lot of competitive [battles].
“It will be interesting to see him with Hulkenberg as well because I think he’s going to have a hard time there with Nico.”