Melbourne is all set to host the Australian GP this weekend. The circuit returns to the calendar after a 2-year absence. It also marks the homecoming of McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo. The Australian has already seen drivers poke fun at his homecoming. Now Lewis Hamilton has also joined in.

The 7-time world champion was recently seen joking about Riccardo with some fans on his story.

Ricciardo is back home

In a recent Instagram post, Mercedes driver George Russell made a joke about the Australian driver returning home to race in Melbourne. This has slowly become a running joke in the paddock with his teammate Lewis Hamilton referencing the joke as well.

The Britton shared a throwback picture with Ricciardo captioned “Been a while since I’ve been in Danny Ricland”

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Ricciardo is one of the most beloved drivers on the grid. The Danny Ricland joke looks like it is here to stay with fans embracing it as well.

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The two drivers have shared the grid for over a decade now and have been friends and foes both throughout their time in F1.  It will be interesting to see them battle it out on track this weekend.

Lewis Hamilton so far in 2022

The 7-time world champion has had a dismal start to the campaign so far. Hamilton is coming off an intense title fight with Max Verstappen last season which the Britton lost out on. The opening two races of the season have seen Mercedes and Hamilton both struggle on track.

The team has been off the pace of Ferrari and Red Bull and has been fighting in the midfield. The season opener in Bahrain saw lady luck shine for Hamilton as late retirements helped him secure a P3. Jeddah was a whole other affair with him getting knocked out in Q1 and finishing P10.

Lewis Hamilton will be hoping for his fortunes to change in Melbourne and will hope to close the gap to runaway leaders Ferrari and Charles Leclerc.

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Can Hamilton secure a record braking 8th title this season or is the Hamilton-Mercedes dominance finally coming to an end?