It doesn’t fit between Daniel Ricciardo and McLaren. That’s why the Formula 1 driver and his team decided to terminate the contract early: Ricciardo will leave McLaren after the 2022 season. But is that why the multiple Grand Prix winner is out of breath?
His McLaren teammate Lando Norris firmly denies this in an interview with “Sky”. The mood within the team is “still great, also from Daniel’s side,” says Norris.
Ricciardo himself is still committed. Or as Norris puts it: “You notice when people are trying and when they don’t care. You can see how hard Daniel is trying to understand it and how much time he invests to get faster.”
“Everyone” at McLaren is motivated, “and Daniel is probably more motivated than ever to leave the team on a high,” says Norris. “He just wants to drive and prove himself.”
Martin Brundle disagrees with Norris
Former Formula 1 driver Martin Brundle, on the other hand, got a very different impression of Ricciardo. He said on “Sky”: “I saw a somewhat broken man.” He also misses any fighting spirit at Ricciardo, according to the motto: “I’ll win another race this year and I’ll still be in Formula 1 next year.”
And next year Norris will have a new teammate at McLaren in Oscar Piastri. But that will “not change much for me,” says Norris. “I’m just going to keep going. I feel confident and happy here.”
But it’s “always different” when you’re dealing with a new stable mate. “You have to talk differently and understand yourself differently,” explains Norris, who automatically assumes a leadership role due to his Formula 1 experience. He himself calls it a “great and new challenge”. But Norris also says: “All this is still half a year away.”