Daniel Ricciardo of McLaren F1 admits that the Miami GP has become even tougher as the team has reduced its beverage allocation to save weight.
All F1 teams are struggling to reduce the weight of their 2022 F1 cars. Daniel Ricciardo revealed that the McLaren F1 was trying to achieve that with the amount of beverage in the drink bottle, which was actually less than desired in Miami’s race conditions.
Daniel Ricciardo struggled with pace for most of the race and wasn’t very helpful in changing to soft tires during the safety car when his teammate Lando Norris crashed.
Daniel Ricciardo crossed the line in 11th place, but was demoted to 13th place with a time penalty for taking off track and gaining an advantage in the fight against Kevin Magnussen.
Like other post-race drivers, Daniel Ricciardo clearly demonstrated the effects of hot and humid conditions in Florida.
Asked how Miami was compared to races like Singapore and Malaysia, Daniel Ricciardo said, “Yes, the heat was a factor.”
“It’s tough, because it’s clear that everyone is fighting for the final weight.
“We can’t afford 3 liters in our drink system. We only have a little and it’s never enough water.”
“Of course, you’re dehydrated. Well, this heat was pretty real.”
“It was obviously tough heat. Everyone was obviously working hard today. It was hot and the drivers, mechanics and everyone were feeling the heat.”
At the end of the race, Daniel Ricciardo thought he had scored points, but later learned that he was in 11th place before taking the penalty.
“In fact, when I crossed the line, I honestly thought I was in 10th place,” said Daniel Ricciardo.
“Of course, it’s hard to understand because there were machines that battled and off course here and there, but because I was within the points range, I was calculating in my head how many cars were gone and how many I overtook. “
“But it wasn’t enough. So I don’t think we could have done anything today. We were just not fast enough.”
“I just followed. When everyone is in the toe, I think we’re still straight and a little lacking. I think it’s a little drug.”
Daniel Ricciardo hoped that a slow change to soft tires would help, passing a few cars, but in the end it made little difference.
“I’m certainly excited about the safety car,” said Daniel Ricciardo.
“I had a few old hard cars before, but I couldn’t move up the rankings because it was too hard. It didn’t feel like a great tire to me.”
“I thought there was something I could show. In a way, I was following them, but it wasn’t enough to make an impression.”
“After all, it probably wasn’t fast enough.”
After the checkered flag, Daniel Ricciardo admitted, “I didn’t know why I was punished,” but “the big picture doesn’t change my race.”
Daniel Ricciardo says he hopes the next round in Barcelona will be a better fit for McLaren.
“It’s still hard to say, but I hope it’s better than this weekend,” said Daniel Ricciardo.
“Sure, we were a little behind, but in a way it felt a bit like last year’s struggle.”
“There are some similarities between some races like Zandfort and this circuit. The corners are long and we were competing for one point last year.”
“This kind of race felt like we were there, but it was never enough to make a big impression.”
“So maybe better. Last year Barcelona was a better circuit for me and I hope it means something.”
Category: Category: F1 / Daniel Ricciardo / McLaren