Daniel Ricciardo has a tough time at McLaren in his first year. The struggles over not being able to drive the car to the max have taken their toll on the Aussie. People have criticized Ricciardo for not being able to be on the same level as his teammate Lando Norris.
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The criticism seems to have bothered Daniel too. Because he was also amazed at how people’s opinions had changed in just six months. Ricciardo spoke about his struggles with McLaren in a recent interview.
WATCH HISTORY: When F1 drivers with Hamilton, Vettel & Ricciardo had a lot of fun on top equipment
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I was on my own this year: Daniel Ricciardo
As reported by the Age, Ricciardo said that external opinions are not valid as F1 is a sport that many people do not play. He also mentioned feeling very down this season.
“I was down on myself this year, but it has no external reason or anything anyone said,” Daniel said.
Formula 1 F1 – Hungarian Grand Prix – Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary – August 1, 2021 McLarens Daniel Ricciardo in action after a collision with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc REUTERS / David W Cerny
“It’s not that F1 is a sport that a lot of people can play, so it doesn’t make the outside world very valid. People ask if you’ve lost it, if you’re still motivated, stuff like that. But six months ago they heard that I was one of the best drivers of 2020.
Now it says: “He can’t remember how to drive. I’m pretty sure things won’t change dramatically so you have to see it as noise that you can mute the volume on, ”Daniel said.
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The McLaren driver is hoping the results will come soon
Daniel mentioned that he’s put a lot more effort into this season than he has in the past. But he also stated that all he needs to do is keep his head down and work on getting better for the remainder of the 2021 season. It is clear that lack of commitment is not what has caused Ricciardo’s suffering lately.
“I put a lot of effort into the first half of the season and the team supported me a lot, I can’t blame them for that,” said Daniel.
Formula 1 F1 – Hungarian Grand Prix – Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary – July 30, 2021, McLarens Daniel Ricciardo in action during training REUTERS / Florion Goga
“Right now there isn’t much reward for doing this, and there have been times when I didn’t like my job that much. But I know it’s never as bad as it seems I know that if I stick to it in the right way, things will change for me, ”concluded the McLaren driver.
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There is a clear optimism that came through during the interview with Daniel Ricciardo that promises a light at the end of the tunnel.
Ricciardo is currently 9th in the drivers’ standings with 50 points, his best result was P5 at Silverstone.
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Can Daniel recover in the second half of 2021? Let us know.
The post Daniel Ricciardo puzzles how public perception at McLaren F1 has turned against him so quickly first appeared on monter-une-startup.
