via Reuters
Formula One F1 – United States Grand Prix – Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. – October 21, 2021 McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo ahead of the Grand Prix REUTERS/Mike Blake
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – United States Grand Prix – Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. – October 21, 2021 McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo ahead of the Grand Prix REUTERS/Mike Blake
The pressure has been mounting on McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo for a while now. The Aussie driver has failed to perform consistently with the team ever since he joined them at the beginning of the 2021 season.
But after the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, there were first signs of criticism thrown toward him by McLaren CEO Zak Brown. Daniel finished the race in P12 in Barcelona while his teammate, who, despite not being well during the entire race weekend, came in P8.
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Ricciardo asked about comments from Zak Brown about his time at the team not living up to expectations, says he's not wrong and adds:
"My skin is tanned, beautiful and also thick"#F1 #MonacoGP
— Chris Medland (@ChrisMedlandF1) May 27, 2022
Ricciardo: Comments I don't take personal. I'm tanned, thick and beautiful. It's been certainly testing at times. We are working hard at it. The team wants it and I want it (to do better)
— Junaid #JB17 (@JunaidSamodien_) May 27, 2022
Ricciardo, during an interview ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, responded to the criticism from Brown. “Comments I don’t take personally. I’m tanned, thick, and beautiful. It’s been certainly testing at times. We are working hard at it. The team wants it and I want it (to do better),” said Daniel.
READ MORE: Who is Daniel Ricciardo’s McLaren F1 Race Engineer – Tom Stallard?
Zak revealed in an interview with Sky Sports after Barcelona stated Daniel has not performed up to his or the team’s expectations. The American did not hold back on his words and gave a logical answer to Ricciardo’s struggles with them.
McLaren’s CEO calls out Daniel Ricciardo for his poor performances
The Aussie driver joined the Woking-Based team with high expectations at the beginning of the 2021 season. But he has generally struggled against his teammate Lando Norris, who has outshone him on most occasions.
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via Getty
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 14: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and McLaren F1 prepare to drive in the garage during Formula 1 testing at Yas Marina Circuit in December 14, 2021, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
“Daniel is just not comfortable yet with the car. We’re trying everything we can. Again, it was a disappointing weekend. Short of [Ricciardo’s win at] Monza and a few races, it’s generally not kind of met his or our expectations, as far as what we were expecting,” said Brown.
WATCH THE STORY: Everything You Need to Know About Daniel Ricciardo’s Famous Tattoos
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The noise around Daniel and his performances is growing louder with every passing weekend. The good thing is that he is aware of his struggles and is actively working toward doing better.
But he really needs to show progress on the track in terms of results. Maybe a good outing in Monaco GP this weekend will get him the redemption he needs right now. Who all remember the 2018 Monaco Grand Prix?
