Ricciardo sees drivers championship: "My position is a sad reality"

2021 is not yet the season of Daniel Ricciardo. The Australian came over from Renault to McLaren this winter, but can't quite find his place in the British team.

The disappointing first half of the season at McLaren

Ricciardo is experiencing a disappointing first season at McLaren so far. The 32-year-old driver is on 50 points in the championship, while his eleven years younger teammate Lando Norris has already managed to score 113 and was also on the podium three times. Ricciardo has not yet scored a better result than a fifth place.

"I don't want to resign myself to this situation, shrug my shoulders and say - it's just the way it is," Ricciardo is quoted as saying by SpeedWeek.com quoted. "There are still a lot of points I can't control and I need to work on those. I do manage to put in a good lap once in a while, but at this level, where other drivers are constantly putting in outstanding performances, it's just not good enough."

One step forward, two steps back

Ricciardo also knows that his teammate Norris is doing much better and admits: "My position is a sad reality." The seven-time Grand Prix winner admits he sometimes takes 'one step forward and two steps back' and therefore does not see a consistent trend.

"It's something different every time. I have a hard time finding the limits of the car," Ricciardo admitted. "If the feeling is right and I can drive on instinct, then the performance is good. But far too often I'm reacting rather than acting."