“From Daniel’s response, it hurt” : Jenson Button surprised at Zak Brown’s indication of a premature exit for Daniel Ricciardo

“From Daniel’s response, it hurt” : Jenson Button surprised at Zak Brown’s indication of a premature exit for Daniel Ricciardo

McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo

McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo had wished to explode into his second season with the McLaren team, but the Australian has been consistently sluggish than teammate Lando Norris. Last weekend, McLaren CEO Zak Brown said that Ricciardo’s position is under strain, which surprised former British F1 driver Jenson Button.

McLaren CEO Brown intimated that Ricciardo does have an agreement until 2023, and that there are alternatives to get out of it way earlier if the 32-year-old driver proceeds to underperform this season. Button is unsure what Brown is trying to accomplish with his assertions.

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“Everyone with the team should be protecting these drivers. Formula 1 is a real mental game. They all have immense skill but you don’t perform if your head is not in the right place,” said Button who won the Formula One World Championship with Brawn in the 2009 season of F1.

Also Read: Jenson Button backs George Russell against Lewis Hamilton in the intra-team battle at Mercedes

Jenson Button elaborates on the possibilities

British former F1 driver Jenson Button
British former F1 driver Jenson Button

“I was surprised Zak came out and said he was not meeting expectations – we all know that. But when your team principal comes out and says that, it definitely hurts. From Daniel’s response, it hurt,” added Button.

Button does not believe Ricciardo’s contract contains any astonishingly countless and quickly lit exit provisions. And besides, the driver from Perth was confirmed as a major hire. “I would say the contract is more in his favour, but there will always be clauses,” concluded the British former driver. Ricciardo is advised by Button not to keep driving for McLaren if they no longer would like to.

Several more drivers have already signed contracts for 2023, so McLaren’s options for finding a suitable replacement for Ricciardo would be restricted. Except for Sergio Perez, everyone in the world championship above Ricciardo has already committed to next year. Only Pierre Gasly or so Perez appears to be a viable option among the drivers on the grid.

Also Read: “I don’t see him driving at McLaren next year” : Ralf Schumacher brings into attention the strained relation between Daniel Ricciardo and McLaren

Also Read: “We’ll see how things develop,” McLaren hint at Daniel Ricciardo’s early departure from the team.