Ricciardo: 'This is the first time I've consistently found it difficult'

F1 News

10 August 2021 at 11:53
Last update 10 August 2021 at 13:21
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  • GPblog.com

It is not going well for Daniel Ricciardo. The 32 year old driver switched from Renault to McLaren but is not achieving the expected results. The Australian now admits that the 2021 season is the most challenging of his career.

McLaren are currently tied with Ferrari for P3 in the constructors' championship with 163 points. Most of the points come from Lando Norris, Ricciardo contributed 50 points.

"Definitely, definitely harder," Ricciardo admitted in an interview with Speedcafe.com when asked if this is the toughest season of his career. "I think it's the first time I've consistently found it difficult."

“For sure over the years you have bad weekends, and even you might have two bad ones on a trot, but then you kind of get it right where I feel like it’s been definitely more bad, or more or less impressive than good.”

F1 isn't supposed to be easy

The season started well in Bahrain where he qualified ahead of Norris, but on the opening lap he suffered damage to his floor. In Baku he had a crash during qualifying and in Monaco he found himself a lap behind, finishing only P12.

“That’s obviously been not always easy to take, but it is what it is", he admitted. “I think sometimes as well, you’ve got to realise and remember that I’m in the elite level of the sport. It shouldn't be easy. So yeah, I’m struggling more than I have before but it’s probably for a reason as well. I am against the best guys, so I’ve just got to lift my game and figure it out.”