Jordan: Norris ‘destroying’ Ricciardo at McLaren

Michelle Foster
Daniel Ricciardo looks at McLaren team-mate Lando Norris. Brazil November 2021.

Daniel Ricciardo turns to look at his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris. Brazil November 2021.

Lando Norris is “destroying” Daniel Ricciardo with Eddie Jordan wondering how much longer it can go on for before McLaren call time on the Aussie’s career.

With just one top-ten result to his name this season, pressure is mounting on Ricciardo as are the questions about his future.

Although the Australian driver has a contract in place that runs through to the end of 2023, McLaren CEO Zak Brown recently told the media that there are “mechanisms” in place that allow either party to end the deal early.

That comment came a week after the American said Ricciardo has “not met expectations”.

His troubles have been compounded by his team-mate Norris’ success, the Briton in the points in five of seven races including a podium at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

Jordan says the situation cannot continue like it is for much longer.

“He’s letting races flow by, and you very seldom get a chance to claw this back,” the former team boss told Channel 4.

“I think I’d be watching his career path from now on, because I’m not sure how much further he can go.”

Ricciardo has less than a quarter of Norris’ points, 11 to 48, with the latter even bagging back-to-back points-hauls while suffering with tonsillitis.

“Lando is destroying him, mentally, physically and on the track,” Jordan continued.

“And when you have that kind of a scenario inside of a team, it gets to you.

“So he needs to shake it up immediately.”

 

But just as it seems everyone is on Ricciardo’s back at the moment, Jenson Button says it confused him that McLaren are doing nothing to protect their driver.

In fact Brown is adding to his woes.

Speaking on Sky Sports F1’s Any Driven Monday show, the 2009 World Champion said: “Everyone with the team should be protecting these drivers.

“Formula 1 is a real mental game. They all have immense skill but you don’t perform if your head is not in the right place.

“I was surprised Zak came out and said he was not meeting expectations – we all know that. But when your team principal comes out and says that, it definitely hurts. From Daniel’s response, it hurt.”

 

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