Former McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne has called Daniel Ricciardo’s debut season with the team a “disappointment” after being outdone by team-mate Lando Norris. Ricciardo, 32, joined Ferrari from Renault ahead of the 2021 season following the departure of Carlos Sainz Jr.
“If you take away his win in Italy, 2021 will be a difficult season for Daniel.”
Vandoorne, 29, made his McLaren debut in 2016, replacing Fernando Alonso at the Bahrain Grand Prix after the Spaniard was out due to injury.
He replaced Button in 2017 and 2018 as a full-time driver for the team, but made no serious impression and is currently serving as a test driver at Mercedes.
And he admitted that moments like Ricciardo’s victory and Esteban Ocon’s triumph in Belgium in a season dominated by title contenders Hamilton and Max Verstappen were refreshing.
“It’s always a great feeling, especially in races where things didn’t go well for Max and Lewis,” he continued.
“I think everyone enjoyed seeing Ocon’s first win and then Daniel’s success after a difficult period for him. These are the events that everyone remembers in a season. “
Vandoorne, who started 41 races with McLaren, has also competed in Formula E and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
