Ricciardo seeks "bad day" improvement for McLaren success
Ricciardo seeks "bad day" improvement for McLaren success
Daniel Ricciardo believes he has to improve how he drives on his "bad days" if he is to succeed long term with McLaren.
In the fight between Ferrari and McLaren for third place in the constructors' standings last season, Ricciardo finished last of the four drivers involved after struggling to adapt to the car given his style of driving.
Ricciardo at least enjoyed success in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in September when he claimed McLaren's first victory in nine years.
That highlighted the fact his talent had not deserted him, leading him to believe that for this season he needs to concentrate on his performances during the more difficult weekends.
Speaking in an end-of-season interview that included GPFans, Ricciardo said: "Unless the car changes from a characteristic point of view, I am going to have to still improve some of my weaknesses. That's reality.
"If I want to be in a title fight I've got to still drive this car better on the, call it the bad days or the days that are a bit more difficult.
"It's just all about awareness as well. Sometimes, just doing laps and laps and laps, I fall into, let's say, my old technique or old style.
"It takes a bit more energy to drive in a way that is not natural. I need to just be mindful of when I'm falling back into the stuff that isn't working at the time."
Explaining the strength of his particular style, Ricciardo said: "All it is, it's not like a secret, but it's really the way I can turn into the apex, turn in early and attack the entry.
"To be very progressive with the brake and turn in, that's been a strength of mine."
Ricciardo concedes that was often not the case throughout last season as the car failed to "quite hold on" as he turned in, resulting in him "focusing on approaching the corner a little differently".
He added: "So it's all with the braking and the turn in ultimately, and the way you get to the apex."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Hamilton sends strong message over Gaza deaths
- 21 minutes ago
F1 giants announce name change with IMMEDIATE effect
- 1 hour ago
Horner admits Red Bull at MAJOR disadvantage with new rules
- 2 hours ago
Horner reveals 'unhuman' Verstappen secret
- 3 hours ago
Sainz manager speaks out on 'game playing' over contract
- Today 18:57
EXCLUSIVE: World champion reveals 'logical' winning F1 Hamilton combination
- Today 17:57
Related news
Ricciardo boss in 'super disappointing' claim amid RB stars' performance
Horner delivers threat to Ricciardo over Red Bull pressure
Marko suggests 'exciting' move to REPLACE Ricciardo
Ricciardo SNUBS team-mate in 'pressure' claim
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860