How long has it been since F1 saw Daniel Ricciardo at his best? Well, the wait is finally over for the recently concluded British Grand Prix. The Australian had his best times during the entire weekend at Silverstone and scored 10 important points for the team in the ongoing battle for P3 with Ferrari.
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Interestingly, the Honey Badger referred to its McLaren predecessor Carlos Sainz for the impressive drive during the race.
In addition, Ricciardo appreciated that his understanding of the McLaren challenger had grown by a notch thanks to the tough battle on the track with the Spaniard.
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What did Daniel Ricciardo say?
As reported by Race Fans, Ricciardo said that he felt very comfortable at McLaren after the race-long battle with Sainz.
“I think Carlos put me under pressure for most of the race, somehow forced me to overdo some corners. And I think it made it possible for me to feel a little more where that edge is, ”believes Ricciardo.
Formula 1 F1 – Great Britain Grand Prix – Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Great Britain – July 18, 2021 McLarens Daniel Ricciardo and Ferraris Carlos Sainz Jr. during the REUTERS / Peter Cziborra race
Ricciardo was behind Sainz until the first pit stop. While Ricciardo enjoyed a short stop, it was an absolutely disappointing one from Ferrari.
The Spaniard thus lagged behind the McLaren driver. Of course, Sainz’s Ferrari showed brilliant pace on the track, but the way Ricciardo defended shattered the former’s hopes for a top five finish.
Strange F1 race for Ricciardo at Silverstone
Ricciardo found his race at the British Grand Prix quite strange as, unlike in previous weekends, he lacked the pace.
“It’s weird. Because you would think that if you really pushed the car to the limit, that would be one more lap. And maybe, when everything has calmed down, I’ll have the race a little more [pace],” he said.
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Formula 1 F1 – Great Britain Grand Prix – Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Great Britain – July 15, 2021 McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo arrives ahead of the Great Britain Grand Prix at REUTERS / Andrew Couldridge
“But I kind of saw the opposite this weekend. In the race, when the car is a little [high] on fuel and begins to move more. I have to dial in a little more. I think just the feeling and the ability to really put the car on the knife edge. I can’t do that so consistently, ”added Ricciardo.
Overall, these are positive signs for Ricciardo amid his obvious problems with McLaren in 2021, so all eyes will be on the Australian in Hungary this coming weekend. Will the upcoming Grand Prix witness Ricciardo overwhelm teammate Lando Norris for the first time this season?
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View history: When F1 drivers with Hamilton, Vettel & Ricciardo had a lot of fun on top equipment
The post Ricciardo explains how Sainz helped him find the “knife edge” on the McLaren F1 Car first appeared on monter-une-startup.
