McLaren considering Daniel Ricciardo PU change for Turkish GP

Ricciardo, McLaren, TurkishGP — Photo: © LAT Images

Turkish Grand Prix

McLaren considering Ricciardo PU change for Turkish GP

Ricciardo suffered a Q1 exit on Saturday in Turkey

Ewan Gale

Saturday 9 October 2021 18:00

McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo could take a fresh power unit after a disappointing qualifying at the Turkish Grand Prix.

Ricciardo currently starts 15th at Istanbul Park, moving up one place after qualifying 16th due to Carlos Sainz's back-of-the-grid penalty for a PU change of his own.

After failing to reach the highs of recent weeks in Italy and Russia, Seidl has said he and the team will look into a potential change.

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“That is something we will have to review now overnight together with our colleagues from Mercedes and see if we want to change our plans for tomorrow," he explained.

“So far this weekend we didn’t plan to do any changes.”

Whilst Mercedes and customer team Aston Martin have suffered from reliability issues this year, McLaren has so far avoided such problems.

“So far, really from the first outing onwards actually, we have had a good run so let’s keep it like that," added Seidl.

Ricciardo refuses to "point fingers" at McLaren

Ricciardo, meanwhile, has refused to blame his McLaren team for his surprise Q1 exit which appeared to be as a result of being sent out on track at the wrong time.

"There was maybe a bit of timing but I think we honestly just struggled on the softs as the track got better," assessed Ricciardo, speaking to Sky Sports F1.

"It was still damp in some places and I think everyone was improving but we couldn't really get that much more out of the softs.

"We made some changes in the pit stop when putting on the second tyre to try and help get me a bit more grip. We made quite a big step but we couldn't really change the feeling.

"We have just got to understand a bit with our tyres. It was trickier today but that is about it.

"As always when the track is improving, there is a bit of timing. I think maybe I crossed the line P8 and by the end, I was P16.

"Being last always helps but there were yellow flags and stuff in turn one so you get out of sync. I wouldn't point the finger, just ultimately not quite there on the softs."