“We don’t know, we tried everything,” Zak Brown feels it’s a ‘mystery’ why Daniel Ricciardo to McLaren did not work out
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Daniel Ricciardo (L) | Zak Brown (R)
Daniel Ricciardo’s arrival at McLaren was greeted with a lot of anticipation. McLaren had been taking steps forward in the past few seasons, while the Australian was still considered one of the best drivers on the grid. It seemed a good union and one that should have succeeded. But for one reason or the other, it did not work out for Ricciardo at McLaren. At all.
Ricciardo struggled to adapt to the car and took a comprehensive beating from Lando Norris in his first season. But even then, there was a shining light – his win at Monza. The consensus was that he’ll surely improve and catch up to Norris in 2022, but it got even worse. From scoring 41.8% (115/275) of McLaren’s points in 2021, he scored only 23.3% (37/159) of them in 2022.
McLaren decided not to take another chance on him in 2023 – instead opting for young Aussie Oscar Piastri. There was still disbelief over how a move with so much promise turned out so disappointing. But even McLaren CEO Zak Brown isn’t sure. Speaking to Speedcafe.com, Brown said: “We don’t know. We’ve certainly analysed it. We gave it everything we’ve got, Daniel gave it everything he’s got.”
Despite their choice to part ways with Ricciardo, the relationship continues to be ‘great’. Brown thinks they tried ‘everything’: “Our relationship with Daniel was great, still is great. As difficult as it was, clearly disappointing for both of us as to the outcome, but I think it’s a bit of a great mystery as to why. I don’t think Daniel knows. We don’t know. We tried everything.”
Zak Brown hopes Red Bull move will let Daniel Ricciardo regain the ‘magic’
While McLaren will have a go with Oscar Piastri in 2023, Daniel Ricciardo will not be on the grid next season. However, he’ll still visit the paddock on a few race weekends as Red Bull’s ‘third’ driver. However, that seems to be how far he can climb at Red Bull – with the management categorically denying that he’s in line to replace Sergio Perez.
Still, it’s a good move to allow him to stay connected with the Formula One world. Zak Brown hopes that this allows Ricciardo to get his mojo back: “Hopefully a change of environment for him, he’ll get his magic back. He’s a magical guy, and you saw in Monza what he’s capable of, and he’s done that seven other times. It wasn’t his first win but we needed to make a change because we couldn’t figure out what had gone wrong.”
While the ‘third’ driver spot at Red Bull is a small boost, making his way back to F1 is surely not going to be easy for Ricciardo. He didn’t leave on his own terms, and his performances were rather disappointing, to say the least. But it’s still a possibility. Formula 1 is unpredictable – just ask Kevin Magnussen. Fans would surely love to see the Honey Badger back on the grid.
Also Read: Christian Horner reveals extent of Daniel Ricciardo ‘third’ driver duties
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Aniket Tripathi
(1002 Articles Published)