The close challenge between Mercedes and Red Bull was understandably the focus of the media during the 2021 Formula 1 season and the climax was reached in the dramatic final round of the championship. However, Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo feels that Formula 1 fans really want to see McLaren fighting against Scuderia Ferrari for race wins and titles.
The intense duel between While Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were the focal point last season, while McLaren and the Maranello team had their own challenge for third place in the Formula 1 Constructor Standings, behind the unreachable duo of Mercedes and Red Bull. This happened both in the championship and on several occcasions in grand prix weekends when the top teams encountered problems. Both McLaren and Ferrari finished the season with five podiums each. However, the McLaren proved to be the only team which was able to score a 1-2 finish throughout the 22-race season, taking advantage of the unforeseeable events in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
All in all, Scuderia Ferrari was more consistent and the Maranello team thus took third place in the Constructors’ Championship.
Daniel Ricciardo, who before signing with McLaren was linked to a possible move to the Italian side, hopes that his team’s tussle with Ferrari is a sign of things to come this season: “That it’s Ferrari, from the outside it’s a cool story that these two teams have had a few low years and two of the biggest teams ever,” the Aussie said, as reported by Autosport – “And now they’re coming back and they’re fighting it out. If only it was for P1! I think that’s really the story I’m sure many fans want.” – he added.
Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection from Puma!
McLaren started the 2021 championship better and held the advantage in the first half, as the two rivals then went into the summer break tied on 163 points. Daniel Ricciardo’s win at the Monza circuit in front of his teammate Lando Norris once again gave McLaren the lead, but Ferrari eventually won the duel thanks to a power unit upgrade in the final parte of the year.
Despite the fact that his team lost the advantage to Ferrari in the final races of 2021, Daniel Ricciardo admits he thoroughly enjoyed his fights with the Scuderia.
“It’s always better when you’ve got something to fight for. If we’re in this lonely battle for third and Red Bull and [Mercedes] were too far in front, Ferrari was too far behind, I think it would be less exciting. I like having a target and something to chase, so that’s been good. And for sure we’ve focused some of our stuff on them and just obviously trying to beat them, but that’s probably more of a team thing. I think for me personally as a driver once the helmet’s on and the lights go out Sunday, it doesn’t matter what colour the car is, if you think you can beat them then you’re going to try to beat them. It doesn’t really change the act behind the wheel, but I think for the team to have that target and that battle, it does create a little bit more… I don’t want to say motivation, but yeah, there’s a target, so every weekend you’ve got something really to work for and it doesn’t allow any of us to get complacent.” – Daniel Ricciardo concluded.
Leave a Reply