Ricciardo ‘encouraged’ by McLaren form ahead of 2021 F1 switch
Daniel Ricciardo is waiting in anticipation ahead of his move to McLaren Racing for the 2021 F1 World Championship season after the British outfit notched up its second podium of the 2020 season at the Italian Grand Prix.
The Australian, currently competing with Renault F1, was announced to be joining the Woking-based squad for next season prior to this year’s belated 2020 F1 campaign kicking off, where he will replace the Ferrari-bound Carlos Sainz.
At this stage it appears Ricciardo is joining a team on the upswing after a stellar 2020 F1 campaign that is projected to be its best since 2012 - when it competed with Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton - provided it can hold onto its current third position in the constructors’ standings.
Indeed, Ricciardo was thoroughly impressed with McLaren at Monza after Sainz qualified third and finished second, while Lando Norris was also on track for a podium prior to the race being upended by an untimely safety car that shook the order up.
“I believe they were second and third before the stop, so maybe it could have been an even better day,” he said following the Italian Grand Prix.
“They had pace all weekend. I knew that they would be competitive here, but I did not expect the performance they showed, not only today but [Saturday]. So they certainly found a bit here. It is encouraging, it is a big result.”
As well as welcoming Ricciardo, McLaren will make a switch to Mercedes power for the 2021 F1 season, while the Australian is replaced by returning 2x champion Fernando Alonso at what will become the rebranded Alpine F1 Team.
