Daniel Ricciardo managed to win the Italian Grand Prix after a first half of the season full of disappointing results. The Australian admitted it feels surreal to put his trophy in the McLaren cupboard next to a trophy won by Ayrton Senna .
Ricciardo's victory brings a few extras for the Aussie. For example, McLaren CEO Zak Brown promised Ricciardo at the start of the season that he could drive an old Dale Earnhardt NASCAR car if he scored his first podium for the team.
Ricciardo and his motorsport heroes
"There's a couple of things today, like two heroes: Dale Earnhardt, big hero of mine, and to have a chance to get behind the wheel of one of his cars is crazy," Ricciardo said according to Motorsport.com. "That will certainly be a 'pinch me' moment."
His second hero is McLaren legend Senna. "I've seen the trophies in the cabinet at the MTC [McLaren Technology Center] and to have a winning trophy now with my name in pretty much the same cabinet is crazy These are like two little things today that I certainly appreciate, and they are two little surreal moments that I guess have hit me."
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Form at McLaren
Ricciardo started the 2021 season with difficulty. Teammate Lando Norris was immediately fast and often battled for the podium places, while Ricciardo sometimes had to fight to stay in the points. But after the summer break Ricciardo finally seems to have found his form.
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Miami Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 01.05.26
Practice 1
04:30 PM
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08:30 PM
Saturday 02.05.26
Sprint Race
04:00 PM
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Sunday 03.05.26
Race
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Friday 01.05.26
Practice 1
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Sprint Qualification
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Saturday 02.05.26
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|---|---|---|---|
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