Daniel Ricciardo Makes a Brave Admission on Lando Norris ‘Pride’ Factor Amidst McLaren F1 Struggle

Daniel Ricciardo endured a tough 2021 campaign. Although he won the Italian Grand Prix in his first season with McLaren, he struggled against his teammate Lando Norris. The Aussie driver mentioned that he knows the reason he struggled against Norris in his first season with the team.

Ricciardo stated that the young British driver had been with the team longer than him and could understand the car better. He also revealed if Norris was a rookie and then beat him, he would have been more hurt.

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Daniel Ricciardo Makes Brave Lando Norris Admission: “My Pride Is Okay, but if This Was a Rookie Doing This, Then I’d Probably Be a Little More Sad”

As reported by GPFans, the Honey Badger revealed that his deficit to his teammate did not dishearten him in the early part of the season.

“We’ve definitely learned from each other this year. Even the times where he [Norris] has been quicker, he’s still taken some things from me. I don’t want to say it’s 50-50. I’ve probably taken more from him from a driving point of view.

“If this was his first year in F1 and he just jumped in and was doing what he’s doing, then maybe my pride would be a little hurt,” said Ricciardo.

“Through me talking about the things I can’t do with this car, it’s also giving him an awareness of… ‘So that’s why these other teams can do this. This is where we need to focus more energy and attention. It’s been good. My pride is okay, but if this was a rookie doing this, then I’d probably be a little more sad,” added Ricciardo.

It will be interesting to see if Daniel Ricciardo can challenge Norris more often in 2022. Do you think the Honey Badger will be able to return to the top of the midfield and finish as the ‘best among the rest’ in 2022? The Aussie driver really needs a solid season to get confidence back on his side and get back at the front of the F1 grid.

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