Is Daniel Ricciardo's season saved?

Three years later, the “Shoey” returned to the top step of the podium. A glass of champagne with a very special flavor for a Daniel Ricciardo found again and who seems to be reborn since returning from vacation, after a difficult start to the season. Transferred from the stable Renault in McLaren to compensate for the departure of Carlos Sainz Jr left for Ferrari, the Australian found Lando Norris among the British team. Accomplices outside but rivals behind the wheel, the native of Perth quickly suffered from the comparison. Before the victory at the Italian Grand Prix, Ricciardo had only finished ahead of his teammate twice (in Spain and Belgium). “Did I expect better? Certainly… ", admitted the former Renault driver. 

Because yes, Daniel Ricciardo is a very good driver. Formula 1, which has already proven itself in the past. But the Australian is not used to finding himself in the shadow of his partner. If for a moment he accused the car of not being adapted to his driving style, the excuse goes badly when we see the performances of Lando Norris. “Look, everyone knows it's a difficult year like me, probably the most difficult of my career in F1”. In addition, the Australian was expected to be the driver who would take McLaren to a new dimension, capable of competing with Red Bull et Mercedes.

The traditional Shoey – Photo Florent Gooden / DPPI

However, the Australian driver won a Grand Prix, that of Italy. A first for a McLaren driver since Jenson Button's victory in Brazil in 2012. A performance sufficient to erase his disappointing season? Long in the shadow of a convincing Lando Norris in the results, the roles were reversed during the weekend at Monza. By making an excellent start, the Australian controlled throughout the race and with Norris, gave McLaren the double. The driver, who decided to accept his inferiority compared to his teammate over the course of the season, finally seemed liberated. Another factor worked in his favor. Holidays. Three weeks away from the world of F1 to recharge your batteries and get going again. “The holidays did me good, just to reset myself”.

In a few years, what will we remember from the Australian driver's 2021 season? Most likely his victory at Monza. And nothing else. His performance in Italy relegated his disappointing 8th place in the championship to second place. Since Mercedes' domination, very few drivers have achieved the feat of winning a race. Additionally, Daniel Ricciardo became the 50th driver in Formula 1 history to win a Grand Prix with two different teams. 

There are seven Grand Prix remaining this season, and McLaren has confirmed the driver as a starter for next season. The Australian has every interest in proving that the victory at Monza was not just a flash in the pan…