Daniel Ricciardo frustrated and confused by being "two steps behind" Lando Norris

Daniel Ricciardo struggled in Monaco practice — Photo: © LAT Images

Monaco Grand Prix

Ricciardo frustrated and confused by being "two steps behind" Norris

McLaren driver starts Monaco Grand Prix 12th

Sam Hall

Sunday 23 May 2021 11:00

Daniel Ricciardo has revealed to being frustrated and confused by the staggering pace difference between himself and McLaren F1 team-mate Lando Norris after their different performances in Monaco.

Ricciardo has struggled to get to grips with the MCL35M since joining the team from Renault over the winter.

Although the Australian appeared to have overcome the worst of his problems in the last race in Spain when outqualifying and outracing Norris, he claims to have spent this weekend "two steps behind".

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Starting from 12th on the grid with Norris fifth, Ricciardo said: “I got asked before if it has been frustrating and I think it is probably more just a bit confusing because we’ve been a long way off the pace all weekend.

"We made a bit of progress in quali but I think it’s quite easy to make progress when you’re obviously a second or so off. So it still wasn’t that rewarding if you know what I mean.

“We just had the debrief. There are a few things that add up or make sense. I would say there is still a little bit to understand.

"I don’t think the car felt particularly bad or off, it was just like when you see your dash or the lap time it was like ‘Uh! It’s still a long way off’."

Australian Ricciardo remained in typical upbeat form, joking that his race chances are pinned on the hope that "everyone on the C5s [soft tyres], including Lando, has to pit after two laps.”

He said it was up to him now to "quickly snap out of it" and added: "Obviously what is done is done. Now it’s certainly focus on the race and it’s a tricky track to overtake and all of that but it does maybe open up some options now with tyre choice.

"You never know with safety cars and whatnot. But it’s a bit of a – you want to be in Q3 and all that so to be out in Q2, for sure, it’s not a good feeling.”