Lewis Hamilton said Daniel Ricciardo "should be racing" rather than considering joining Mercedes as a reserve driver next season.
The Aussie's Formula 1 future is in doubt beyond the end of the current season. He will be let go by McLaren a year earlier than planned, and there are only a few vacant spots left on next year's grid that might be available to him.
With each passing day, it becomes more likely Ricciardo may have to spend at least one year away from the grid. One report claims he is being lined up as a backup driver for Mercedes, who are planning for the long-term in case Hamilton retires at the end of his current contract.
But the Brit has been saying for a while now that he has no immediate plans to call it a day. And he repeated that sentiment in Thursday's driver press conference, when he apologised to Ricciardo.
He told reporters: "I will always be with Mercedes until the day I die, and I feel like I can race for quite a bit longer."
Hamilton added: "I think he should be racing, personally. I think he's far too talented, and he's earned the right to be among us all racing. But of course, if he's a part of our team that would be great. But the role, I think, is not really what's best for him. If I was managing him, he would be racing."
Meanwhile, Ricciardo said he was "assessing everything" as he balances his remaining commitments to McLaren with sorting out his racing future. "In short, I don’t have anything teed up yet – I don't have anything confirmed," he aid.
"I think when I do, I'll be the first to tell you, so there's no reason for me to hold back information now, there's no secrets – it's kind of all open and out there.
"I'm sure over time the right thing – whatever that ends up being – will make sense. I think as well, it's not just about what's right for next year, it's what's right for my future – it goes beyond '23. It's complex, but when I know, you will!"
