Daniel Ricciardo Reveals His ‘Ambition’ for Debut McLaren F1 Season

Following their massive downfall during the ignition of the hybrid era, McLaren have been recovering well and has already caught up with the mid-field pack. Furthermore, their trajectory could only move further upward from here on considering their dream signing Daniel Ricciardo.

But how is McLaren’s future looking from the perspective of the Australian? Well, Ricciardo is very much optimistic about the British team’s forthcoming 2021 season.

Although the team claimed that they cannot battle alongside the front-runners, for the time being, Ricciardo decided to counter such expectations. He felt McLaren have been doing the right things in recent years. Hence, the British team securing occasional podium finishes over 2021 looks imminent.

What did Ricciardo say?

According to RacingNews365, Ricciardo revealed the chances of the McLaren duo landing on the podium this season. “I certainly have the ambition to be on the podium for my first time with McLaren,” he said. (Google Translate)

“Since the team achieved this last year, I think in my head that we can achieve it again this year. It will not just happen. But if we continue like this and I put in the work, there will be a good chance.”

McLaren had a dream run in 2020, with both their drivers contributing equally to their constructor’s tally. In the end, apart from the two brilliant podiums, McLaren also secured their first top 3 constructor’s finish since 2012.

Hence, the team will move into the 2021 season with their head held high and as the mid-field favorites. Furthermore, they have had bigger boosts with Mercedes engines and their wishful driver, Ricciardo, for the upcoming season.

Excited about where McLaren is going: Daniel Ricciardo

Like every other team, McLaren, too, are keeping their focus on the approaching 2022 season loaded with regulation changes. And Ricciardo opined that the Papaya team is on the right track to glory.

“Whether I know 100 percent how things will turn out? I don’t know,” he said. “But I certainly feel that McLaren has done the right things in recent years to prepare for the rules changes coming in ’22.

“The next era of F1 has the potential to change the field a bit and everything I’ve seen and known so far. Makes me really excited about where McLaren is going.”

Considering the massive change in rules for the 2022 season, it is almost impossible to foresee what could be in store for the fans. But one thing is certain; McLaren could turn up as one of the biggest threats along with some of their other mid-field rivals.

Hence, will the former constructor’s champions rule the Formula 1 grid, come 2022? Well, although early indications imply such a future for McLaren, let’s see what the reality actually holds.

Read More: The Long List of Cars Owned and Driven by Daniel Ricciardo