Former Formula 1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella suggests: Daniel Ricciardo should take over from Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for the 2025 season
Who will succeed Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes? This question has been on Formula 1’s mind since the seven-time world champion announced his switch to Ferrari in the 2025 season. And now former Grand Prix winner Giancarlo Fisichella is throwing another name into the ring
In an interview with OLBG, he says: “Daniel Ricciardo could be a good replacement for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, because Mercedes needs a driver with his experience. It would be good for a top team to have him.”
On the other hand, he is “not sure what the future holds for Daniel Ricciardo”, says Fisichella. The Australian “did well”, especially in his Red Bull years, and was even “faster than Sebastian Vettel”. However, Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career then stagnated, first at Renault and then at McLaren, where he eventually even had to give up his cockpit.
Then the comeback in 2023 with AlphaTauri, now Racing Bulls, where Ricciardo will also be driving in 2024 – and will he find his way back to his old form? That’s “difficult to say”, says Fisichella. “It would be nice if he had a good car this year and could show how good he is. “
Fisichella also suggests a young driver
Since others are also attracting attention, for example in the direct substructure of Formula 1, where Fisichella sees someone who could challenge Ricciardo and Co. for the Mercedes cockpit.
Fisichella: “I think Mercedes should make an effort for Andrea Kimi Antonelli. He is a young driver [and Mercedes junior] who is racing in Formula 2 this year. He is very fast and already very good. I would like to see him there.” That’s all the former race winner said
Hamilton’s title chances with Ferrari from 2025
However, Fisichella goes on to talk about Hamilton and his prospects at Ferrari. He says: “Lewis Hamilton has a good chance of winning an eighth title with Ferrari. It’s difficult to say when, but I think he has a 30 or 40 percent chance of fighting for the championship.” As a long-time Ferrari squad driver, Fisichella remains silent on how he puts this
The only thing he is certain of is: “If Lewis Hamilton were to win an eighth world championship title, he would be the greatest driver of all time, as long as no one else wins more titles than him! I would say that Hamilton would be above Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna with an eighth world championship title. “
Who Fisichella sees ahead in 2024
But first things first. Because, as we know, Hamilton will be back in a Mercedes in 2024. Will he have a chance of winning the title again in the W15? Fisichella is not yet confident enough to make a prediction before the Formula 1 winter tests. “But I think that Verstappen will once again be the reference.”
“And I would say that Ferrari and Mercedes are closer together than last year, especially in terms of race pace. It would be nice to see how the season develops [with this starting position]. So I would say Verstappen is still the favorite, but Ferrari and Mercedes are close. “
