McLaren CEO met pressure blow on Ricciardo ahead of Monaco GP
McLaren boss Zak Brown has admitted Daniel Ricciardo’s performance has fallen short of team expectations, with Australia continuing to be advanced by team-mate Lando Norris.
Daniel Ricciardo joined the McLaren team in 2021 after a two-season stint at Renault. After picking up seven wins at Red Bull, Ricciardo appeared to be making the most of an uncompetitive Renault, with Australia managing to seal two podiums in his second season with the French manufacturer’s team. However, since joining McLaren last year, Daniel Ricciardo has always been overshadowed by team-mate Lando Norris, despite the Australian driver securing McLaren’s first win since 2012 at last year’s Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
Speaking about his two drivers in an interview with Sky Sports, McLaren CEO Zak Brown admits Daniel Ricciardo has failed to live up to team expectations for two seasons now, with the American leaving a serious pressure on the Australian before the Monaco Grand Prix.
“Lando [Norris] a definite advantage. We would obviously like to see Daniel much closer to Lando and have a good battle between teammates. » said Zak Brown.
“Daniel is not comfortable with the car yet, we are trying everything we can. Once again, it was a disappointing weekend [à Barcelone]. Outside the win at Monza [de Ricciardo], it usually does not meet his or our expectations. I think all we can do is keep working as a team, keep communication going, push and hope that whatever isn’t clicking right now clicks soon. »
Before the Monaco Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo is in eleventh place with eleven points scored since the start of the 2022 season.