Ricciardo's confidence shaken after failed McLaren adventure
F1 News
- GPblog.com
Daniel Ricciardo was back at a Formula 1 race at the Australian Grand Prix for the first time since leaving McLaren. The Australian's contract was bought out for this season, and so he was replaced by Oscar Piastri. He has since returned to his old team Red Bull Racing, where he has the role of reserve driver.
'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.
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