Daniel Ricciardo surprised to see McLaren have the ‘quickest’ car on the grid within two years of leaving the British team

Daniel Ricciardo did not expect his former team to make such strides in 2024 after being stuck in the F1 midfield.

Daniel Ricciardo surprised to see McLaren have the ‘quickest’ car on the grid within two years of leaving the British team

Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris (images via IMAGO)

Daniel Ricciardo joined McLaren at the beginning of the 2021 season partnering up with Lando Norris. He won the 2021 Italian GP, but was only able to finish eighth in the driver’s standings. After a disappointing 2022 season where he finished 11th and trailed behind Lando Norris. McLaren parted ways with the Honey Badger. The Australian driver expressed admitted that he was surprised by the progress his former team has made over the short span of time.

McLaren’s MCL38 is arguably the quickest car on the grid right now, outpacing everyone. The situation at the beginning of the season was not the same. However, their efforts and dedication to improve their car’s performance have seen them winning 2 races till now and 10 podiums in total. McLaren’s former driver Daniel Ricciardo was surprised at how quickly everything has changed. He pointed out that in less than two years, McLaren, which was not very competitive before, had become the fastest team on the grid. The Australian found it unexpected that McLaren could improve so rapidly and become so strong in such a short time.

I guess from that point of view, it is a bit of a surprise that in two years - less than two years - they are probably currently the quickest package on the grid.
Daniel Ricciardo told Motorsportweek
YouTube video

Further, he stated that while it’s impressive to see how quickly McLaren has improved so much, he doesn’t dwell on it. He did not think about it with regret, wondering what might have been if he had stayed with them. Ricciardo understood that this was just how F1 works, with its ups and downs, and he accepted it as part of the nature of Formula 1.

FS Video
But I also don’t look at that like, ‘Oh man, like if only I could have had that’. That’s the sport, that’s how it is.
Daniel Ricciardo added.
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Daniel Ricciardo claims RB making ‘big boy’ decisions

Daniel Ricciardo mentioned that RB is making important ‘big boy’ decisions and taking big risks to see changes in their performance. He mentioned that they are setting ambitious goals that they believe are achievable. Ricciardo hinted that they are aiming for a significant improvement in their performance. Just like how McLaren experienced a major boost in the 2024 season, RB hopes to improve the same.

Daniel Ricciardo
Daniel Ricciardo (Via: Imago)
We’re making, kind of, big boy decisions and we’re taking risks and we’re setting targets and high targets and ones that we realistically think that we can attain.
Daniel Ricciardo stated.

Certainly, Daniel Ricciardo affirmed that RB is taking risks and bringing major changes for the last 10 races remaining. Red Bull also confirmed that Ricciardo would stay with the team as it was rumored he would be replaced. Fans hope RB performs better than what they did in the first stint of the 2024 season.

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