Emotional Daniel Ricciardo reveals how the horror season has taken its toll after the latest dismal result… as the former Formula One world champion mourns the ‘sad’ decline of the sacked McLaren star
Daniel Ricciardo has lifted the lid on a troubled season for McLaren, admitting that “moving forward” in the face of adversity was taking its toll after yet another dismal result.
The Australian finished 16th at the United States Grand Prix at Austin on Sunday ahead of Nicholas Latifi, the latest disappointment in a season in which he has failed to score a point in 14 of 19 races so far.
The 33-year-old, who will leave McLaren at the end of the season despite still having 12 months to go on his three-year contract, was visibly deflated when he spoke to the media on Sunday.
An emotional Daniel Ricciardo admitted he was struggling to “move on” after a dismal second season with McLaren.
“I don’t know how I’m going to continue,” he said.
I have no idea what to say. Honestly, it’s only 2022. […] When you think it can’t get any worse, it does.
‘That’s where, I don’t know, I don’t know how I go on to go on because [to say] “it’s painful” is an understatement.
Ricciardo has scored 29 points this season, 80 fewer than teammate Lando Norris, who finished sixth on Sunday and has scored points in 15 races this year.
The Australian explained that he has struggled to get to grips with the car throughout the season.
And the Australian admitted he couldn’t explain the difference in pace with his teammate.
It has been the year that it has been. So far off the beat, I just can’t lean on [the car]I can’t push, I can’t get the time out of this,’ he said.
“The inconsistency in lap times shows that it really is a fight, but to have such a big margin[to Norris] again remains a mystery.
Ricciardo will leave McLaren at the end of the season, despite being under contract with the Woking outfit until the end of the 2023 campaign.
“I love Texas, I love Austin, but that race was not enjoyable for me.”
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, 2009 world champion Jenson Button was similarly baffled by Ricciardo’s death.
“It’s sad because he’s so talented and to see him right at the back of the field, I can’t explain it,” he said.
‘That’s a tough one.’
Ricciardo has been regularly outperformed by teammate Lando Norris (right) this season
McLaren has agreed a $14m payout with Ricciardo, to replace him with fellow Australian Oscar Piastri in 2023.
Earlier this month Ricciardo admitted he will not be on the grid next season but insisted he was determined to return to Formula One in 2024.
Uncompetitive Williams and Haas are currently the only teams yet to finalize their line-ups before 2023, after Alpine signed Pierre Gasly and Alpha Tauri replaced him with Dutchman Nyck de Vries.
Mercedes and Red Bull have reportedly been in talks with Ricciardo to make him their reserve driver for next season, but Button was unimpressed with either option.
Former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button was at a loss to explain Ricciardo’s sudden and drastic decline since joining McLaren.
“I can’t see Daniel as the third driver in the paddock,” he said.
‘It doesn’t work, but that’s obviously what you’ve chosen to do [and] it feels good to him.
“I would rather he was racing in Formula 1 in a team that was further down the grid, then he can prove himself again in the car and maybe drive further up the grid.”
“But as the third driver, people will only remember his last race this year.”
