McLaren - "Different" Ricciardo provides "fresh start" hope

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown has hailed 2022 a "fresh start" for Daniel Ricciardo after a mixed first year together.

Ricciardo struggled to get to grips with the McLaren MCL35M after joining the team from Renault as he finished fourth of the drivers in the Ferrari-McLaren battle.

The Australian was defeated 15-7 by team-mate Lando Norris in qualifying whilst in the races, despite his victory at the Italian Grand Prix, the score was 16-6 in Norris' favour.

Asked in a post-season media briefing including GPFans if Ricciardo had fulfilled expectations, Brown explained: “I think when we look back on his time at Renault, it took him a little bit of time to get up to speed.

"I think coming up against Lando who I think is as fast as anyone in Formula 1, means you always have a team-mate who is at the absolute limit of the race car.

"We have seen a different Daniel in the second part of the season where he is up to speed and he feels much more confident in the car.

“So I’m excited to see in 2022 when it is a fresh start for everyone.”

Across the season, Ricciardo always fronted up to the difficulties he was suffering rather than shying away from explaining his problems.

Explaining the best qualities brought to the McLaren by Ricciardo, Brown added: "The best quality is that he is a great team-mate, not just to Lando but to everyone in the garage.

"He’s very honest, he’s a pleasure to have in the garage and he has had his challenges and he has had to adapt to our car.

“I think in Monza he showed what he is capable of and that was a dominating performance and then he has had some struggles."

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