
via Getty
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 04: (BILD OUT) Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), McLaren F1 Team looks on during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on December 4, 2021 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Hasan Bratic/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

via Getty
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – DECEMBER 04: (BILD OUT) Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), McLaren F1 Team looks on during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on December 4, 2021 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Hasan Bratic/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Daniel Ricciardo had a bumpy debut season with McLaren. Despite the much-awaited win in Monza, the first stint of the season was painfully atrocious for the driver. However, despite the bad days, Ricciardo believes they will be important for him in the coming season.
Monza gave Ricciardo a much-needed confidence boost going into the next season. It lets him know that he still has some vulnerabilities that need to be fixed. “If I want to be in a title fight I’ve got to still drive this car better on the, call it the bad days or the days that are a bit more difficult.”
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Ricciardo explains his revelation. “It’s just all about awareness as well. Sometimes, just doing laps and laps and laps, I fall into, let’s say, my old technique or old style. It takes a bit more energy to drive in a way that is not natural. I need to just be mindful of when I’m falling back into the stuff that isn’t working at the time.”
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Ricciardo’s resurgence after the summer break showed that talent hasn’t left the Honey Badger yet, keeping expectations high for the 2022 season.
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Daniel Ricciardo reflects on driving style
Daniel Ricciardo analyzed his driving style. “All it is, it’s not like a secret, but it’s really the way I can turn into the apex, turn in early and attack the entry. To be very progressive with the brake and turn in, that’s been a strength of mine.”

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Formula One F1 – Turkish Grand Prix – Intercity Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Turkey – October 8, 2021 McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo in action during practice REUTERS/Murad Sezer
When in the McLaren, his driving style did not suit the workings of the car. Thus the late diver had to start “focusing on approaching the corner a little differently”. Thus the final conclusion was, “So it’s all with the braking and the turn in ultimately, and the way you get to the apex.”
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Thus, Ricciardo is looking to turn his weakness into a strength next season, where he could hopefully play a bigger role in the oncoming McLaren-Ferrari battle.
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