Daniel Ricciardo has been openly overlooked in a harsh evaluation by his former McLaren teammate Lando Norris. The Australian driver, who competed alongside Norris in 2021 and 2022 before being replaced by Oscar Piastri, was notably absent from praise when Norris discussed the toughest competitors he has faced at McLaren.
During an interview at the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix, Norris highlighted his current teammate Oscar Piastri as the most challenging rival he has encountered during his F1 career. This public appraisal underscores Ricciardo’s difficult tenure at McLaren, while elevating Piastri’s rapid rise in Formula 1.
Lando Norris Identifies Oscar Piastri as His Most Formidable McLaren Competitor
As teammates at McLaren, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have developed a competitive but respectful dynamic, each striving for supremacy within the team. Norris acknowledged that Piastri’s raw speed and capacity to improve constantly have made racing against him particularly demanding.
In response to Sky Sports F1 presenter Naomi Schiff’s question about who the toughest competitor at McLaren has been for him, Norris stated:
“It makes my life tougher but in a good way because it makes me better,”
—Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Driver
Norris further elaborated that Piastri’s progress and talent stand out compared to his previous teammates, including experienced drivers such as Carlos Sainz and Ricciardo. He emphasized how this competition pushes him to enhance his own performance continually.
The Evolving Relationship and Championship Battle Between Norris and Piastri
Reflecting on their journey from rookie seasons to title contenders, Norris admitted their relationship has matured alongside Piastri’s growth in Formula 1. The British driver described the dynamic as unchanged in ambition despite increasing competitiveness on the track.
He explained:
“Everyone knows we want to beat each other and that’s made my life certainly a little bit tougher,”
—Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Driver
This internal rivalry has intensified the fight within McLaren, as Piastri consistently challenges Norris for victories and championship points. While Norris started his career as the team‘s established star, Piastri’s breakthrough is shifting the balance in McLaren’s driver hierarchy, with the Australian emerging as a serious contender for his first drivers’ championship.
Ricciardo’s Struggles and Uncertain Future Following McLaren Departure
Daniel Ricciardo’s time at McLaren was marked by struggles to find consistent form, with his unexpected win at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix standing out as a rare success amid disappointing results. Despite initial optimism, his performance failed to meet expectations, eventually leading to his replacement by Piastri ahead of the 2023 season.
Since leaving McLaren, Ricciardo has faced further challenges, being dropped by Red Bull Racing midway through last year. Although his fans speculated about a potential comeback via 2026 entrant Cadillac, Ricciardo himself publicly dismissed such a return as unlikely, putting his future in Formula 1 into question.
The Importance of This Assessment and Its Implications
Norris’ candid remarks reflect the shifting landscape within McLaren and the broader F1 field, where emerging talents like Piastri are reshaping team dynamics and career trajectories. The public acknowledgment of Ricciardo’s absence in this internal assessment highlights the contrast between his recent struggles and the rising star’s momentum.
With Norris and Piastri locked in a fierce battle for the drivers’ title, McLaren appears to be investing its future hopes on Piastri’s rapid development. Meanwhile, Ricciardo’s prospects of returning to Formula 1 seem increasingly remote, reinforcing a narrative of transition for the Australian star.