Il future of Daniel Ricciardo è hanging by a thread. From arrival in McLaren the Italian-Australian driver had a declining yield, except as an exploit, like that of Monza 2021. Nelle last two races Ricciardo finished front at his partner di team but the tension in the pits seems to be growing also due to a car that is not very competitive for a world championship, but also to aspire to victories. After a recent conversation with the CEO Zak Brown, Daniel Ricciardo admitted to not having to prove anything to the team, remarking to the big McLaren boss that he didn't appreciate his "eavesdropping". To fuel everything there is also the concrete possibility of losing his place in Formula 1, given the pressure of young talents.
Complicated start
The Australian joined the papaya team in the 2021 season in the hope that a fresh environment could restore that spark lost since his farewell to Red Bull. But apart from his victory in the Italian Grand Prix , McLaren's debut year in 2021 was largely difficult. Now 32, Ricciardo started the 2022 season with the hope of a leap in the team's quality. But the track returned a different reality. McLaren has never come close to the values of Red Bull e Ferrari, least of all to those of the Mercedes, which proves concrete despite the difficulties. The Maranello team took a big step forward in the 2022 season while McLaren, with which third place in the constructors' standings was at stake last year it remained at those values there.
Criticism from above
The pressure, and the criticisms were not long in coming but in a two-way way. Not only from the fans and the media but also from above, with provocative statements made by Brown on performance and the future of the driver.
With a contract until 2023, rumors of his imminent exit before the deadline were undoubtedly exaggerated, but the approach of the managing director of McLaren, who admitted that Ricciardo “did not meet expectations” added fuel to the fire. Difficult to redeem himself after criticism from all fronts, but the last two races have given Ricciardo more motivation than Brown's words.
The results are more important
Ricciardo indeed has stressed as results on the track are more important of lectures from Brown, who should rather think about giving him one more competitive car.
"Surely Zak and I had some chats and spent time together. It's not something you do once a year, or once every two months, but It's not like I needed a kick in the ass to render. I'm not a fool. I know my results, I know what is good and what is not“said the Australian. “It's up to the team to figure out if there's anything they can do to help me. It seems to me that after Monte Carlo we took a little step forward to the simulator, where we tried a few things. And even if our result in Canada hasn't been good, the last two weekends have certainly been better and more promising".
Declaration source: FormulaPassion
