Ricciardo responds to criticism about his performances
Daniel Ricciardo, who has been delivering disappointing performances since his arrival at McLaren, is the subject of numerous criticisms from observers, and now even his own team. The Australian is responding and wants to prove his critics wrong.
Daniel Ricciardo is unrecognizable since his arrival at McLaren. The Australian is completely dominated by his teammate Lando Norris, whether it be in qualifying or in races. Despite some impressive moves, such as his victory at Monza last year, Ricciardo struggles to regain the confidence and level he displayed with Red Bull and Renault in the past.
Often criticized for his performances, the Australian responds to his detractors for Crash.net.
« It’s a kind of ebb and flow, sometimes I blame myself. But other times, I am pumped up and motivated to prove that many people are wrong and I am right. Most of the time, I don’t care about doubt. Because even last year, for sure, there were moments when I tried to solve this issue. » reveals Ricciardo.
« But already in April and May [last year], there were articles like “he has lost his level,” whereas six months earlier, in 2020, I was considered one of the best drivers of the season,” he continues.
Author of a strong 2020 season with Renault, Ricciardo had achieved two podiums and finished fifth in the championship. Then last year, despite his victory at Monza, he could only finish as high as eighth in his first season with McLaren.
This year, currently the Australian is only eleventh in the standings with eleven points and a sixth place in Melbourne as his best result. These performances could lead Zak Brown and the board of McLaren to want to part ways with their driver, whose contract expires at the end of next season.
This is what the CEO of the McLaren team had implied, even though there are mechanisms that would leave Ricciardo as the sole decision-maker of his future. In the meantime, the Australian wants to prove that he hasn’t permanently lost his touch, even though some, like Jacques Villeneuve, have publicly admitted to thinking that his F1 career is over.
The reality is that I haven’t forgotten how to drive in six months, I haven’t lost my competitive side, it’s just a kind of moment in time that I knew I could get through. There will always be people who will say this or that. But that’s just how it is. It’s up to me, in the car, to prove them wrong. » hopes Ricciardo.
His destiny remains in his hands even if his future in Formula 1 is darkening more and more with each race.
