Talk is “small compared to what he can do on the track” : Felipe Massa claims that Daniel Ricciardo could do so much more at McLaren to regain his form

Talk is “small compared to what he can do on the track” : Felipe Massa claims that Daniel Ricciardo could do so much more at McLaren to regain his form

Daniel Ricciardo

In an attempt to unearth his form at McLaren, Daniel Ricciardo requires to “get the smile back,” according to Brazilian former F1 driver Felipe Massa. Notwithstanding the win at Monza last year, uncertainty has swirled around the Australian’s future, with his McLaren career yet to begin.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has exacerbated the situation by mentioning a “mechanism” in Ricciardo’s agreement that could see it terminated before the 2023 expiration date. Now, Massa has asserted that Ricciardo must reestablish his delight if he is to recover.

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“I think sometimes you need to…we need to see him smile again, he needs to enjoy. I had also a time at Ferrari that was tricky, it looks like every moment something wrong happens and then you cannot concentrate in the right way, maybe you are not relaxed and happy. And you know George Russell was saying [in Monaco] ‘I’m happy, I’m enjoying, things are easy’. You need to be happy, you need to enjoy the relationship with the team,” said Massa in a post-race interview following the conclusion of the Monaco Grand Prix.

Also Read: “Ricciardo’s time is up at McLaren” : Jacques Villeneuve contends that Daniel Ricciardo’s stint at McLaren is approaching a dead end

Daniel Ricciardo responds to the speculations of his premature exit from McLaren

Daniel Ricciardo and Felipe Massa during Ricciardo's stint at Red Bull
Daniel Ricciardo and Felipe Massa during Ricciardo’s stint at Red Bull

Massa was also questioned just how much tricky it is to enjoy when people like Brown make disparaging remarks, but the Brazilian said the talk is “small compared to what he can do on the track.” “I think when you are at the level of Daniel Ricciardo, he’s an amazing driver, the level he has as a driver is really high, he’s unbelievable, so he cannot be worried for this talk,” added Massa.

The Brazilian stressed on how the foremost priority for Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo at the moment should be to find a way to smile at McLaren again. He contends that this is ought to improve his performance at McLaren and give him a shot at outscoring his teammate British driver Lando Norris for once.

Ricciardo appears unperturbed by his boss’ remarks, claiming that his skin was was “tanned, beautiful and also thick.” “Comments, I don’t take personal. My skin is tanned, beautiful and also thick,” concluded the Australian.

Also Read: Martin Brundle contends there are still signs of tension between former McLaren teammates, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso

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