Millie Faulkner believes Lando Norris should be the one to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes
“Definitely Lando Norris,” insists Millie Faulkner when asked who would be the one to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes when the seven-time world champion eventually retires.
Faulkner believes that Norris, “working alongside George (Russell)” matched the ambition required to get the Mercedes, a team with a tonne of expectation, where needed.
She was full of praise for the Norfolk born Russell, naming him as the surprise driver of the season when asked earlier today.
“He’s now at Mercedes with the one who holds the record for the most world championships (Hamilton) and he’s out-qualifying him half of the time.”
Russell was also named in Faulkner’s perfect driver line-up, which surprisingly featured neither Max Verstappen, nor Charles Leclerc.
“Perez has to be in there either-way” before expanding with “it’s because he’s the best teammate going.”
When asked why the current world champion wasn’t in there, perhaps with Leclerc, she revealed the she didn’t want to “see another Leclerc and Vettel at Ferrari,” insisting that neither driver should be a number two and instead opting for team harmony.
All the talking about driver lineups, brought up the news that Daniel Ricciardo would not be on the grid in 2023.
Faulkner was questioned on what’s next for Daniel Ricciardo, to which she responded with, “I feel like we will still see him in the paddock” stating that she believed he’d take up a role similar to what Niko Hulkenberg and Esteban Ocon have in recent seasons.
Hulkenberg has remained as Aston Martin’s reserve driver, whilst Ocon’s role at Mercedes, where Ricciardo is heavily linked, helped him earn a drive at Renault, now Alpine, and revive his career.
The conversation then moved to the current season, where the trainee journalist was asked for her thoughts on the 2022 season so far.
“I expected another championship battle after the first couple races, obviously with the Red Bull DNF’s and Charles winning quite a few races as well.”
“I did not expect to now have Checo (Sergio Perez) fighting for 2nd place,” in the championship, referencing the Max Verstappen and Red Bull domination, followed by Ferrari mishaps that were to come.
Mick Schumacher’s recent form, and Nyck De Vries success in his maiden race were also in discussion, “It’s been great to see Mick pick it up a bit, and obviously De Vries, that was awesome, him taking points in Albon’s car.”
Faulkner named the recent grand prix in Singapore as her favourite race of the season, expressing that she expected it to be very boring, but loved it as there was a lot going on in that wet race, throughout.
And when quizzed on where she’d host a race in a country that didn’t already have one, her response was Greece, “the setting would be gorgeous,” before joking with “I mean it’s Greece, you get to smash plates.”
The F1 circus moves to Texas on October 23, as The Circuit of the Americas hosts the nineteenth race of the season, whilst Mexico City follows a week later, with a Brazil and Abu-Dhabi double header closing out the season in late November.