Formula 1 returned this week after a one-sided race at Spa. Although the qualifying filled the fans with excitement, the main race promised and delivers even more.
Max Verstappen clinched pole, yet again. There were quite a few surprising results in qualifying as well, with Tsunoda and Schumacher both finishing in Q3. However, perhaps the biggest surprise was Daniel Ricciardo, who didn’t even make it past Q1 and started P17.
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Daniel Ricciardo has not had the best year with McLaren. The Aussie has endured a dismal tenure with McLaren, which resulted in both of them terminating his contract with a mutual decision. His race in Belgium might have not been special, but his qualifying in Zandvoort was even more disappointing.
Daniel started the race in P17 and was the first driver to enter the pit lane. Unfortunately, it was not his performance, but something entirely else that caught the eye of the fans.
During the race, Formula 1 displayed the Aussie with his team name. To everyone’s surprise, they also added the caption “struggling again” in front of McLaren, which was absolutely uncalled for and even disrespectful.
READ MORE: With Max Verstappen on Pole, What is the Starting Grid for the 2022 Dutch GP?
The Australian driver is struggling for confidence at the moment and such moments are not going to help him in any way. Moreover, he is one of the most jolly people on the grid, and watching him struggle absolutely hurts.
F1 Twitter lashes out after outrageous disrespect to Daniel Ricciardo
Disrespecting a driver is not an ideal thing to do, regardless of the situation. However, when the embarrassing text was shown on the broadcast, fans were quick to defend Ricciardo on Twitter and made their opinions known. Additionally, a few of them also blamed F1 for this action.
someone is getting fired for this pic.twitter.com/3Rj8EmjhL2
— Maude (@schumihoney) September 4, 2022
WHAT 😭😭 the graphics have been mean before but this?? 😭 pic.twitter.com/CRTUQPXJcT
— The Megs⁹⁹ met Antonio (again!)🔺 (@megslou99) September 4, 2022
The absolute violation 😭 pic.twitter.com/uYVfuY1Vpz
— Jo 🦡 (@itsIightsout) September 4, 2022
F1 really said "twist that knife in his back a lil" 😭😭
— Ebony baker (@Ebbit_1996) September 4, 2022
According to some fans, this was uncalled for and absolutely disrespectful.
Like this was uncalled for, it’s just plain disrespectful and rude, giving putting someone down who’s already on the floor
Like call me a party pooper idc but they’ve never done this for anyone else (if I remember correctly) why for him and why now?
— Jo 🦡 (@itsIightsout) September 4, 2022
Noo… thats messed up. They've never done something like this before have they?! Even a positive one?
— Matthew Alex Chadwick (@MtthwChdwck) September 4, 2022
WATCH THIS STORY: Struggling ‘Honey Badger’ Daniel Ricciardo Once Dominated the Streets of Azerbaijan in Glorious 2017
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what the 😭 they really did not have to do that, do they do this for latifi too?
— Lyn (@R1CC1ARD0) September 4, 2022
That’s just rude and disgusting
— Lilly🌸|•| DR3 Army// DR3 Monza 2021🧡💙 (@Holyricciardo) September 4, 2022
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With Daniel Ricciardo a free agent next year, fans will hope for someone to sign the talented Australian. Whether he gets a team or not remains to be seen. Moreover, with the ever-increasing competition, things are not looking good for the former Red Bull driver. Do you think someone will sign Daniel?