Ricciardo's confidence shaken after failed McLaren adventure

'Have come to realise I am not the perfect driver'

It was a switch from which much was expected: Ricciardo from Renault to McLaren. Two years later, it turns out it all went a bit differently. The eight-time race winner was beaten by teammate Lando Norris two seasons in a row. He himself tells Speedcafe.com that he failed to get the most out of the car: “For many years, I truly believed I was the best, and I am the best in the world, so whatever the situation, I’ll be able to overcome it. And obviously with McLaren it was tough for me to do that. So yeah, I was aware that I’m not the perfect driver, I do have weaknesses, so I’ll always hold something on to myself.”

Despite a win, 'the Honey Badger' could not live up to expectations. This led to his self-confidence being damaged: “And now, getting back into Red Bull, I felt as well I was certainly a little bit… my confidence was probably not what it used to be as well. Even I was a little bit probably timid getting into the simulator, trying to downplay how it was going to go. But as the day went on, the more comfortable I felt, and the more it just felt like I was kind of back home in a car that I honestly felt comfortable with." The Australian is Red Bull Racing's reserve driver at least until the end of this season. After that, he will look further ahead for a possible return to the grid.