Daniel Ricciardo - “Perfect time” for triple header to help solve McLaren issues

Daniel Ricciardo

Ricciardo - "Perfect time" for triple header to help solve McLaren issues

Australian driver has a disappointing best finish of sixth so far this season

Ian Parkes & Will Gray

Thursday 17 June 2021 15:00

Daniel Ricciardo feels the upcoming triple-header of races has come at the perfect time to help him overcome the difficulties he has faced in getting to grips with his new McLaren.

Ricciardo has struggled since his switch from Renault, revealing at the last race in Azerbaijan to pressing the ‘reset button’ in an effort to understand the reasons for his issues.

Ahead of the first of this season's triple-headers that commences with the French Grand Prix this weekend, Ricciardo said: “It’s a good time to have a triple header.

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"Having three weekends in a row is beneficial for all of us [because] you’re able to stay in the rhythm and to learn so much in the space of three weeks.

“I think, more so for me now, to just keep getting feeling and confidence with the car. I am really excited. I always love the triple header, I love the rhythm and just keeping the momentum and now, in particular, more time consistently in the car.

“Even in the sim, I tend to have done two-day blocks instead of one day. We don’t get much time. It’s probably the only sport in the world we don’t get to practice often at all, so to have two or three weeks off can feel like a long time.”

Ricciardo facing "compromise" with McLaren

Ricciardo has only managed to finish in a high of sixth in a race this season, in Imola and Spain, and has scored just 26 points compared to the 66 for team-mate Lando Norris.

The 31-year-old insists he is still working on areas where he can improve on what he has, to adapt more to suit the car.

But he added: "I am also not being steered away from the feedback I need to give to help the car as well, and try to give the team the info that they can design or build the car that suits my driving style and maybe work to my strengths.

“It’s a bit of a compromise for now, I will try to do what I can with what we’ve got and learn there but keep feeding them information to improve the overall package. The car is not going to change overnight.”