McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl has admitted that the Woking-based Formula 1 team is disappointed with Daniel Ricciardo’s opening races with his new team.
Ricciardo joined McLaren from Renault at the end of 2020, and he has been comprehensively outperformed by his much less experienced team-mate Lando Norris at most grand prix so far this campaign.
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Speaking to Germany’s RTL broadcaster this week, Seidl said both the team and Ricciardo are disappointed, but he remains confident that the Aussie will soon find his form with McLaren.
“I don’t think he imagined it would be so difficult to change teams,” Seidl said.
“He’s disappointed, so are we. Because we thought he would be faster.
“I am still convinced that at some point it will click with him,” the German added.
Seidl also commented on Norris’ standout performances this season, with the young Brit scoring three podiums so far this campaign and currently sitting fourth in the Drivers’ Standings.
“It’s great to see how he approaches the races,” Seidl said.
“Even if the first lap doesn’t work out, he doesn’t let himself get rattled. He waits for his chances and then takes them.
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“He does this with incredible calm. With impressive determination. He makes almost no mistakes.”
Continuing, he said he believes Norris still has room to grow and improve as an F1 driver:
“Basically, I believe that you are not a complete driver in Formula 1 in your third year, [but] his development is impressive.
“It was always clear to us at the end of last year, after we saw his development from year one to two, that we would rely on him.
“He is very happy with us on the team. So it was a simple and logical decision to get this contract extension done at an early stage,” Seidl concluded.
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