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Lauda: Our line up is perfect

Lauda: "Our line up is perfect"

17-04-2018 08:56

Sam Bytheway

Niki Lauda has seemingly dismissed the possibility of Daniel Ricciardo joining Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.

Ricciardo, who won the Chinese Grand Prix for Red Bull on Sunday, is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with both Mercedes and Ferrari.

However, this speculation seems to have been dismissed by Mercedes chairman Lauda, who said:

“Valtteri Bottas did a perfect job on Sunday. 

“Other than for Red Bull's strategy trick with the tyres, he would have won. 

“We don't need anyone else. Our line-up is perfect as it is.”

Ricciardo, who has made no secret about his desire to team-up with Hamilton, has been urged by his current team principal Christian Horner to resist joining the Brit next season.

“Daniel is happy in our environment so if we can provide a car like we did in China then why would he want to be anywhere else?” Horner said.

“We have got a very quick car which we have demonstrated.

“Daniel is a very rounded driver, and he is absolutely at the top of his game and he has been for the last couple of years.

“He has that balance of experience and is one of the best overtakers in the business. His judgement is impeccable.”