Daniel Ricciardo excuses for lack of pace expire 'in a couple of races' - Andreas Seidl

Daniel Ricciardo during the Imola weekend — Photo: © LAT Images

McLaren

Ricciardo excuses for lack of pace expire 'in a couple of races' - Seidl

Ricciardo has failed to match Norris at McLaren so far

Sam Hall

Saturday 1 May 2021 12:30

McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl has insisted any excuses for Daniel Ricciardo's lack of pace compared to team-mate Lando Norris will expire after "another couple of races".

Ricciardo has failed to hit the ground running at McLaren after moving from Renault, now Alpine, in the winter months with a reduction in pre-season testing a major factor in his lack of familiarity with the MCL35M.

The Australian joined the Woking-based team as a proven race winner but has so far been outperformed by Norris with the Briton scoring his second career podium last time out at Imola.

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Asked by GPFans Global how long it would be until the team could no longer use a lack of seat time in a McLaren as an excuse, Seidl answered: “It is a question of another couple of races but then I am very confident that we will not talk about this subject anymore.

“The good thing for me is, when I look at the racing in Imola as well, with the experience Daniel had he drove the car in a way that he felt comfortable with and scored a very important P6 for us as a team and for himself.

“Imola was a race where it was very easy to go off and destroy your car or your race. By trying to go in a space where you are probably not that comfortable as a driver we saw many drivers crashing so I am very happy with what Daniel showed there.

“I am looking forward now to extract more and more over the next couple of races.”

Whilst Ricciardo has finished both of the opening two races inside the top seven, Norris' worst result so far is fourth.

The Australian's struggles are, however, not unique with Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz also taking time to get acquainted with new machinery after winter moves.

Seidl added: “He made it clear he wants to be comfortable with our car as quickly as possible. Of course, we want to do the same.

“We work together intensively on this subject with Daniel. With the experience Daniel has, with the experience we have in the team, I don't think it will take long anymore."