Daniel Ricciardo, the former McLaren driver, has admitted it’s challenging to gauge the performance of his successor, Australian driver Oscar Piastri.
Despite having a year left on his contract, Ricciardo lost his McLaren seat for the 2023 season after a disappointing period with the team.
The 33-year-old Australian acknowledged the struggle of evaluating a team that is not achieving its desired results.
When asked about Piastri’s performance, Ricciardo stated, “Lando (Norris) is the benchmark, but it’s hard to know whether twelfth place is good or not.”
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He noted that Piastri had a promising outing in Saudi Arabia but has since been overshadowed by Norris.
Recognising that it is still early in Piastri’s career, Ricciardo believes the young driver has hit the ground running and is handling himself well.
He praised his fellow Australian’s impressive first lap in Miami and acknowledged the challenges of adjusting to Formula 1 at such a young age.
While no longer racing full-time, Ricciardo remains involved in Formula 1 as a reserve driver and ambassador for Red Bull.
He has also ventured into commentary alongside his other commitments. Reflecting on his current position, Ricciardo sees it as an opportunity for personal growth and maturity.
“I think that’s the beauty of where I’m at now in my career, where I’ve done it for 10 years,” Ricciardo shared.
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“I’m a bit more mature, and yes, we all have a bit of pride and a bit of an ego. But I recognise that that’s not going to help me. So I’ve been able to get past that and have some accountability on my front.”
Ricciardo expressed contentment with closing the chapter on his McLaren stint and is now focused on the future. With a newfound perspective, he has embraced the challenges ahead and maintains a positive outlook.
“Maybe it wasn’t the best for me, but I also probably wasn’t the best version of myself,” Ricciardo admitted. “So I’m happy that chapter’s done, and now I’m just eyes forward.”