“We have to just be patient,” Daniel Ricciardo predicts a long season ahead for McLaren

“We have to just be patient,” Daniel Ricciardo predicts a long season ahead for McLaren

Daniel Ricciardo

McLaren seems to be in a tricky situation at the moment. With the first two race weekends behind us, McLaren sees themselves 8th in the Constructos Championship with just 6 points. Marquee driver Daniel Ricciardo has been out-qualified by his younger teammate on both Saturdays and seems to be struggling with the new regulations car.

The Aussie tested positive for Covid-19 a week ahead of the season opener in Bahrain and effectively missed Pre-season testing. The upgraded MCL36 along with a new track at Bahrain meant that Ricciardo would be out of his depth for Bahrain GP. And engine issues forced him to retire early in the following race in Jeddah.

The Australian has yet to score a championship point so far this season and seems realistic of the struggles the team is facing. But the 32-year-old racer is hopeful the team can turn things around.

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Daniel Ricciardo preparing for his first home race in 3 years

McLaren's Mcl36
McLaren’s Mcl36

Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo endured a rather rough start to the season. The MCL 36 still lacked pace and looked sluggish in the high-speed Jeddah Corniche circuit. Daniel still seems calm about the situation McLaren is facing and is sure that the team can get through it, despite it being a long season for the Woking-based team.

Ricciardo said, “Yeah, I think so and I think you have to mentally. Look, if in two races’ time, we’re fighting for the top five, then okay, we’ll take it and that’s a bonus. But I think mentally to remain, let’s say, calm and chill and level-headed and sensible, you need to realise that we’re not looking for three or four-tenths. It’s over a second if we want to fight for the wins.”

He added, “So I doubt it’s going to come overnight. We have to just be patient. And I think for the wellness of the team, it’s important to do that. It’s too early to cause a ruckus. I think we have the people in place to get the job done. And I know I have 100 percent faith and belief in people like Andreas [Seidl].”

Ricciardo will be pumped for his home race the following weekend and is looking forward to securing a fantastic result in his first home race in three years. The team are poised to bring new upgrades to the Australian Grand Prix on April 8-10.

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