2021. That’s a wrap! But we couldn’t unsubscribe without getting a few final thoughts from McLaren F1 drivers Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo. In their last McLaren.com interview from ’21, the two reflect on ups, downs, Lando’s evolving musical tastes and more.
So, Lando, Daniel, we have reached the end of the Formula 1 season in 2021. If you gave yourself 1 out of 10, what would it be and why?
Daniel Ricciardo: One two three four…
McLaren.com: Here you climb steadily.
DR: Four and a half, five … six. Six? Six.
MCL: Any advance on six?
DR: No, I’m going with six.
MCL: And the reason for six?
DR: Well, it’s all about results, isn’t it? Winning the Italian Grand Prix definitely put me in six, but I wouldn’t say there have been too many great results this year. However, that was not because there was a lack of experimentation or effort. So yeah, let’s set it to six.
MCL: Okay, it’s six. And what do you think Lando?
Land of Norris: I would give myself a strong 8.8.
DR: Oh, are we going to do it to the decimal point?
MCL: That’s very accurate. Very F1.
LN: Eight is a bit low, but nine is a bit like ‘calm down’. So, 8.8. The reason for this score? I would say it was my strongest season in F1.
DR: I bring out the best in people. [Grinning from ear to ear.]
LN: Uh, yeah … I took on the challenge. I stood on the podium four times. I let Daniel win a race. [Laughs.] And I got my first pole position in F1. But I made a couple of mistakes, so 8.8.
MCL: Okay, there is a little room for improvement next year.
You both just touched on some of your highlights of the year. What would you say is your proudest moment in 2021?
DR: You go first, Lando. It has to drink from my shoe, right?
LN: I wasn’t proud of that. I was proud of you anyway.
DR: Thank you.
LN: I would say my proudest moment this year was pole position in Russia, my first pole in F1. It’s great that on this day in history, if you’ve qualified on pole, you’re the fastest out there. That is really cool. I connected everything under difficult conditions: slicks on a drying track. In a way, you could say it’s the kind of pole position that the track conditions make to be even more proud. Daniel had a lot of sticks though …
DR: Does not load. I’ve had three.
LN: You only had three?
DR: Yes, I don’t have that many. I think there are three. Yes three.
DR: As for my proudest moment this year … it’s hard. Even if I wanted to say something other than Monza, like Austin, which was a really fun weekend and I got a top 5 in the race, I just can’t. I have to go with Monza. But that’s not just because I won the race. Rather, it’s the fact that 99% of people sure wouldn’t have made me win a race this year, so I’m most proud of this moment: I’ve found a way to beat some of the lows and make it through most opportunity when she came.
These are your proudest moments, but what about your biggest regrets this year?
LN: Biggest Regret? It’s a tough job. I regret nothing. I like to stay in a positive mood about everything. Even when things are not going as you hoped, you can always take positive things with you and learn things that will make you stronger.
DR: For me, some of the bad days this year weren’t for lack of trying, so in some ways I have no regrets either. I feel like I couldn’t have tried harder. If I felt like I didn’t give my all, I might regret it, but I don’t. So yeah, no regrets, just memories – those words were actually my first tattoo.
Did any of you really think you could win a race this season?
DR: Not after the first six months. No. That’s what I say, but I’ve been into this sport for a long time and I know that things can happen and change pretty quickly. So even though I wasn’t expecting a win, I wouldn’t have signed a document saying “No, I won’t win a race this year” because you never know.
LN: Did I think I could win a race this year? Honestly no. Did I think there was a chance? Yes. You never know, you know …
MCL: But when you know, you know, don’t you?
LN: Exactly. [Laughs.]
Speaking of knowledge, what did you learn about each other in your first year as a teammate?
LN: I don’t think I actually learned much more about Daniel. I think I knew him pretty well before he joined the team. But I would say that this year we learned from each other and helped each other.
DR: I’m still trying to help Lando in other areas of life. I try to teach him the way … when it comes to music.
LN: This is true.
DR: He’s a pretty quick learner, so … this is what happens when you hang out with me, you go anywhere.
LN: You don’t always go to the right places, but you do go to places.
DR: Yes! [Laughs.]
MCL: What music are we talking about here?
LN: Blast! Absolute blast.
DR: You see, we still have a lot to do here. Terminology is on the rise, but …
LN: You know, a little bit of science fiction, lo-fi.
DR: Science fiction ?! [Laughs.] As you can see, Lando still mixes up movie and music genres.
LN: Sometimes I listen to thrillers.
DR: [Howls with laughter.] Stop it!
Okay, last question. 2022. What is the first thing that comes to mind?
DR: Screw covid! That’s the first thing that came to mind. [Laughs.]
LN: 2022? The first thing that comes to mind …
DR: Excitement.
LN: New challenges.
DR: Goose bumps.
LN: Pedestals?
DR: I think the new cars are very exciting for F1 because they should mess things up a bit. I mean, this year it was a bit confused at times: we saw a few different winners and a lot of teams on the podium. I think next year opens the door to more of this. The most important thing we all want next year is closer races – to make it easier to follow a car in front and have more fights.
LN: Yes, exactly that: to give the fans a really good show. 2022 will be a good year.
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