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BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – MARCH 12: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and McLaren F1 and Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren F1 look on from the grid during Day One of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on March 12, 2021 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Joe Portlock/Getty Images)
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BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – MARCH 12: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and McLaren F1 and Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren F1 look on from the grid during Day One of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on March 12, 2021 in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Joe Portlock/Getty Images)
Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris were straightway expected to have a strong bond when it was announced that the Honey Badger would be racing for McLaren in 2021. However, as it would become, the relationship with the team was arguably not ideal for Ricciardo. The media’s portrayal of Norris and Ricciardo’s equation didn’t help the cause either.
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Now that Ricciardo is set to leave the team at the end of 2022, Norris has set the record straight. While speaking to SkyF1, he opened up about his relationship with Ricciardo and what he actually thinks of the Australian.
Norris began by talking about all the media speculation. “Even with all what the media say that we are against each other and all this nonsense. I have a lot of respect for Daniel.”
He then went on to explain how his relationship with Ricciardo has blossomed. “You get to know each other more and more and you become better friends through time. We’ve got a lot of good memories.”
He summed it all up by saying, “I love him, he’s a great guy.”
Another great aspect of their relationship is that this respect goes both ways. The Honey Badger even went as far as crediting Norris for helping him bag a brilliant P5 at the Singapore Grand Prix last weekend.
Daniel Ricciardo praises Lando Norris as he claims P5 at Singapore GP
Daniel Ricciardo had a dismal Singapore GP Qualifying. However, starting the chaotic race from 16th on the grid, he finished in 5th. This race will probably go down in Ricciardo’s book as one of the highlights of his McLaren career.
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MONZA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 12: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and McLaren wins the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza on September 12, 2021 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)
However, he was quick to credit his teammate for where he ended up finishing. While talking to the media after the race, he said, “Lando forced Max on the wet patch that promoted me another position, so it’s just a big team day.”
He summed it all up by ecstatically remarking, “Lots of teamwork!”.
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Written by
Edited by
Ranvijay Singh