While it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, Daniel Ricciardo got off to a fair start to 2021. In his first season at McLaren, he has scored 16 points in three races so far, despite not finishing in the top five. His team-mate Lando Norris, on the other hand, has 37 points and is third in the drivers’ standings after securing a podium in Imola.
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While it looks like Ricciardo is underperforming, he admits that he hasn’t yet found the confidence he needs to push the car to its limits. Despite being one of the most experienced drivers on the grid, three races are often just a short time to get used to a new car.
Daniel Ricciardo: It’s about trusting the car
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It is not easy to get to a new team with a completely different line-up. Every car gives every driver a different feeling, which ultimately shows them the limits that they can push the car to.
Ricciardo believes it is important to trust the car, which is currently preventing him from pushing the car to its limits.
Ricciardo said: “In the end there is of course a lot of technology, but it’s also about trusting the car and turning it and knowing that it will stick.
“I think the sensation is still a little different and I think that is probably taking a little bit of my confidence right now, probably my confidence,” said Ricciardo.
Lando did it better with the setup: Ricciardo
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The honey badger also pointed out that his teammate Lando Norris was able to unlock the car’s full potential due to his familiarity with the setup.
Formula 1 F1 – Portuguese Grand Prix – International Algarve Circuit – Portimao, Portugal – April 29, 2021 McLarens Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo during the pool press conference via REUTERS / Gabriel Bouys
Ricciardo said, “Lando in the debriefings complains about the same things, or how the weaknesses are the same things. He’s still a little more used to this car doing that, and he can probably get through it a little better. “
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Qualifying could be quite a struggle for the Australian at the ongoing Spanish Grand Prix. From which position will he start tomorrow’s race since he finished P14 and P15 in FP1 and FP2, respectively?
The post Spanish GP: Ricciardo still lacks confidence amid McLaren’s F1 battles first appeared on monter-une-startup.
