Following on from Daniel Ricciardo’s and the McLaren F1 Team’s announcement on Wednesday that they would be parting ways at the end of the season, Lando Norris has sent a heartfelt message to the Australian he deems a friend.
Despite being contracted until the end of 2023, Ricciardo and the team have decided it’s best to end their relationship, with the Aussie set to receive around £17 million to relinquish his seat.
Norris and Ricciardo have had an interesting relationship at McLaren, off the circuit; the duo has been hilarious, entertaining and most importantly, likeable.
On the circuit it’s been a different story.
Norris has been the dominant driver at McLaren since Ricciardo joined last season, with the Australian having struggled to finish in the points on a number of occasions.
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That’s largely been the case this season, where Norris has been a consistent points finisher and currently sits seventh in the Drivers’ Championship.
Ricciardo has scored just 19-points and sits in P12 in the Drivers’ Championship, almost 60-points behind his team-mate.
However, despite it all, Ricciardo still has one thing that Norris doesn’t, a victory with McLaren.
Ricciardo became the first McLaren driver to win a race since 2012 at last season’s Italian Grand Prix, where the Woking-based team delivered an unimaginable one-two finish.
The emotions on that day will forever belong to Ricciardo, whereas Norris may wish that it was him who ended McLaren’s winless drought.
The 22-year-old has brought so much success to McLaren since joining; however, he is still yet to claim his first victory in the sport.
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The British driver may come under more pressure from his new team-mate next season, who is all but certain to be 2020 F3 World Champion, 2021 F2 World Champion and current Alpine F1 Team reserve driver Oscar Piastri.
Whilst it’s yet to be seen what his relationship will be like with his new team-mate in 2023, it’s a guarantee that he’ll miss his current 33-year-old team-mate.
“What a ride Daniel. From that moment in Monza, to the laughs we’ve had out of the car, it’s been a joy working with you these last two years. Whatever’s next I wish you all the best, let’s have a mega next few months,” Norris said in a first reaction.