When the former glories of Formula 1 worry about the future of Daniel Ricciardo

The horizon continues to darken for Daniel Ricciardo in McLaren. In Monaco, the Australian was once again dominated by his teammate, Lando Norris. This season, the Australian has only finished twice ahead of the Briton, including once at the Miami Grand Prix where the Bristol native was forced to retire. With 37 points behind on the clock after seven Grands Prix, the comparison between the McLaren drivers does not go in Daniel Ricciardo's direction and within his team his performance is singled out.  

It is not only in Woking that we are starting to wonder about the future of the Australian. After Zak Brown, the boss of McLaren, detailed the contract which binds the driver to the British team with a possible end in the event of poor results, the former glories of the Formula 1 are pessimistic regarding the future of the Honey Badger.  

Ralf Schumacher, the brother of the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, admitted that rumors within the team would soon consider replacing the 32-year-old driver. “ Rumors as well as team declarations are becoming more and more heard, explains the German to Sky Sports. He's just too far from his teammate. I'm curious to know what his future looks like, it might be difficult for him. If things don't change, I don't see him at McLaren next year. » 

GORGEOUS ! The festival @PierreGASLY on Daniel Ricciardo! 😍#MonacoGP ???????? #F1

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— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) May 29, 2022

Results as soon as possible for Daniel Ricciardo

At Sky Sports, Nico Rosberg also shares this opinion. The 2016 championship winner believes the Australian is more than ever in an ejection seat when comparing his performances to those of his teammate. “ It's a tough situation for Daniel with Zak Brown publicly saying he's not living up to expectations. Lando, he drives at a world class level, he's a future world champion. He drives incredibly well and that makes things even more difficult in this situation », admits the former pilot Mercedes.  

To keep his seat, Daniel Ricciardo will need more than a splash like he experienced at Monza last year by obtaining victory. The Australian must obtain a series of positive results as quickly as possible. “ He lets the races go by and it is very rare to have the opportunity to catch them, analyzes Eddie Jordan, founder of Jordan Grand Prix for Channel 4. Lando is destroying him mentally, physically and on the track. He must recover immediately. »

The crash of @danielricciardo as if you were driving the McLaren #MonacoGP ???????? #F1

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— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) May 27, 2022

Contract or not for his colleague Alan Jones, world champion in 1980, the fate of the McLaren driver is almost sealed. “ Unless he makes improvements, I don't see him staying there for very long, to be honest. A contract in Formula 1 doesn't mean much. If the situation remains as it is, I have no doubt that they will use one of the options provided in the contract (to put an end to it. Editor’s note)”, analyzes the Australian for the Herald Sun.  

Already too late? 

But among the former world champions who have spoken about the situation of Daniel Ricciardo, Jacques Villeneuve remains the most pessimistic. “ Daniel Ricciardo's time at Mclaren is over », says the Canadian for Formula1.nl. In addition to his lack of performance, Gilles Villeneuve's son points out another problem for the Australian in Woking.

« Ultimately, he was a highly paid driver who cost the team a lot of money. He doesn't earn any points and he doesn't have the speed the team needs to develop the car. It would be cheaper for them to continue paying Ricciardo's salary, let him sit on the couch at home and put another driver in the car. It's a harsh reality, but it's Formula 1. » With the extension of Sergio Pérez at Red Bull, Pierre Gasly is one of the drivers considered to replace the Honey Badger at Mclaren, just like the two residents ofIndycar, Colton Herta and Pato O'Ward.

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