Column | Ricciardo and Leclerc will put an end to the fairytale of McLaren

The dream duo for McLaren

After years of misery with Honda, McLaren decided to make the switch to Renault engines, but even that didn't have the desired effect in 2018. Confidence had dropped to zero within the team, and that was not least due to the negative attitude of Fernando Alonso, who did not hide his dissatisfaction.

In 2019, McLaren therefore opted for a completely new path. With Andreas Seidl, a new team manager was appointed and James Key had to start designing McLaren's new cars. These two went in the right direction, as 2020 proved, but it was perhaps the drivers who impressed the most.

On and off the track, Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris were a breath of fresh air for the fans. No whining from Fernando, but an open, cheerful and positive attitude from the two new drivers. With Lando the young talent was brought in and with Carlos the experience. In 2021 that is going to change.

Win-win situation for McLaren

At the beginning of 2020 it became clear that McLaren was going to lose Sainz to Ferrari. Because of the good relationship within the team, McLaren already knew this and anticipated. Daniel Ricciardo was brought in after all (this was previously attempted for the 2019 season), and the reaction around the team actually gave the situation away.

Carlos was a good driver for McLaren, but with Ricciardo, McLaren brings in a figurehead and a proven winner. Sainz has yet to become all that, if he ever does. So McLaren didn't lose so much in 2021, but actually won in terms of drivers. For the dream duo, however, this may not end as well.

Second fiddle to Ferrari

The easiest prey is Sainz. The young Spaniard has big ambitions and has already choked a heavy teammate once before. Max Verstappen was unbeatable for Carlos over a full season despite much less experience, and Nico Hulkenberg was also a size too big. Sainz was dumped by Red Bull Racing and Renault, and was given a last chance at McLaren.

He took that chance with both hands. He pulled McLaren to third place in the Constructors' standings. Norris did well on Saturday, but Sainz was the clear leader on Sunday where it counted. Now, however, he's already leaving for Ferrari, and you might ask if this isn't too soon? At McLaren he was the man, and that won't be the case at Ferrari.

At Ferrari he will join team Leclerc. Charles Leclerc is, just like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, considered by many to be an outsider, but Sainz isn't. He has a lot of experience in the world of racing. The chance that Sainz, with less experience at that team and less pure talent, is the lesser of Leclerc is pretty big.

Sainz might be able to stay on as Ferrari's ideal second man for years, but he can only become first man if he beats Leclerc outright. That will be a huge task for the Spaniard, but only then can he chase his dreams. To become world champion you have to be able to beat your teammate, and as second fiddle to Ferrari that's going to be pretty tough.

Norris is no longer a young talent

Lando Norris has the favour factor with many people, but in 2021 it will be an important year for him as well. He has had two years to get used to Formula 1 and McLaren, but over a full season Carlos Sainz was always too strong. Now Daniel Ricciardo comes to the team, and that doesn't make things easy for Norris.

The young Briton showed on Saturday that he can really qualify, but it remains to be seen whether he can stand up to Ricciardo on Sunday. Ricciardo had to get used to Renault, but soon got a foothold there and moulded the whole team to his will. If Ricciardo can do the same at McLaren it will be a tricky situation for Norris.

Just like Sainz there is a big chance for Norris to really break through. Sainz can become the frontrunner at Ferrari, and Norris, if he wins against Ricciardo, can also rightly say that he is the frontrunner for McLaren, which is on its way back to the top. It would put both drivers in a comfortable position for a bright future, but what are the odds?

End of the dream duo

Sainz and Norris were perfect for the period McLaren was in. It needed positive and young drivers who radiated to the outside world that the team was working on something beautiful. Now that has been achieved on track, McLaren needs drivers who can lead that car to the top, and the question is can Sainz and Norris do this?

It is therefore an extremely important year for Sainz and Norris. After 2020, both drivers look good to many followers, but if they both come off against their teammate in 2021, then this picture could turn completely around. They were so well matched, but maybe both just not good enough. 2021 will tell...