Formula 1
Ricciardo: Hamilton's hard-fought F1 wins silencing doubters
Daniel Ricciardo thinks Lewis Hamilton’s hard-fought wins in Formula 1 this year are helping silence doubters who questioned just how good he is
Jonathan Noble
Edited: May 17, 2021, 11:32 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Hamilton is locked in a thrilling duel with Max Verstappen for this year’s F1 title, and has won three of the first four races so far this season.
But the tight fight with his Red Bull rival has forced Hamilton to push to the max, and that has cast a fresh light on the contribution he makes to Mercedes’ success.
And, after years where critics have suggested that Hamilton only wins in F1 because of his car, Ricciardo is one who thinks perceptions are being changed.
“A lot of people are probably tipping their hat to Lewis,” said Ricciardo, speaking at the unveiling of the new Gulf livery that his McLaren team will run in next weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix.
“He's getting it dished back at him and he's holding his ground. And, I guess, showing people that maybe doubted him, why he is as good as he is.”
Asked about who he thinks will come on top in the battle, Ricciardo said: “At this stage, you'd always, I guess, take experience.
“So if it was really down to the wire, then I think Lewis has showed some strong signs. But then again, if there's a gap, Max goes for it. That's why obviously I respect Max a lot.”
Read Also:
- Verstappen not only option as Hamilton successor - Wolff
- Hamilton wants new Mercedes F1 contract agreed by summer break
- Williams: Russell very close to Hamilton's early F1 career level
Ricciardo also sensed some potential mind games between the F1 title rivals in the wake of comments from Hamilton about how much he learned from Verstappen’s driving when following him at the Spanish Grand Prix.
“If it had been in qualifying, then he would have been able to see a different line that Max may be taking, or something like that,” said the Australian.
“So maybe that could be just a little bit of a comment to like, get some shout about nothing. Maybe it is a bit of a way to engage in some mind games.
“But, in saying that, you can learn a little bit. You do know if someone's rattle when you're the hunter.
“You can tell if, and I'm not saying this was that situation, but particularly pre-F1, when you’re stalking someone, you can see when they're starting to slide the car more, lock a brake, or drop a wheel here.
“We obviously can't see them, but if you picture them without a helmet on, in that moment, their expressions would be tense.
“Perhaps he's referring to that. And maybe Max was like erratic. I don't know, but could just be something that's nothing.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Norris reveals car damage triggered latest Q3 stumble
Next article Mazepin: I’m sure public opinion will change with better results
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Daniel Ricciardo
Daniel Ricciardo shares heartfelt message after first Indy 500 visit brought back "childhood feelings"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya GP
Daniel Ricciardo shares heartfelt message after first Indy 500 visit brought back "childhood feelings"
Lando Norris reunites with Daniel Ricciardo for Indy 500 celebrations after disastrous Canadian GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
Lando Norris reunites with Daniel Ricciardo for Indy 500 celebrations after disastrous Canadian GP
Daniel Ricciardo says life feels "more real" after abrupt F1 exit
Formula 1
Formula 1
Canadian GP
Daniel Ricciardo says life feels "more real" after abrupt F1 exit
More from
Mercedes
The figures that show Mercedes has lost its supremacy in F1 2026
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
The figures that show Mercedes has lost its supremacy in F1 2026
Mercedes: “We had people who hadn’t done a live pitstop for 15 years” in Singapore GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Mercedes: “We had people who hadn’t done a live pitstop for 15 years” in Singapore GP
Latest news
Tim Clark wants NASCAR to be better storytellers to counter "brand perception problem"
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 10 min
Tim Clark wants NASCAR to be better storytellers to counter "brand perception problem"
Why NASCAR's Zane Smith fine for Carson Hocevar contact was consistent
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
36 min
Why NASCAR's Zane Smith fine for Carson Hocevar contact was consistent
Jimmie Johnson on the NASCAR business world: "It's a war"
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 47 min
Jimmie Johnson on the NASCAR business world: "It's a war"
David Alonso lashes out at Dani Holgado: "When you’re not a good person, there’s nothing you can do"
Moto2
MOT2 Moto2
Phillip Island
47 min
David Alonso lashes out at Dani Holgado: "When you’re not a good person, there’s nothing you can do"
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.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.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe