Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren Formula 1 driver, showed his confidence in the team’s future in the sports. He signed a three-year deal with the team because he trusts the teams momentum.
Carlos Sainz Jr signed a deal with Ferrari for 2021 season. It put McLaren to quickly find a new driver, which resulted in signing Renault’s driver last May.
Ricciardo, seven-times grand prix victor, appeared as a McLaren driver for the first time earlier this week. He took part at the MCL35M shakedown at Silverstone.
McLaren announced the engagement with Ricciardo as a “multi-year agreement”. It did not specify the tenure of the engagement.
Ricciardo, ahead of McLaren F1 Car Launch, revealed the length of his engagement with the team. He is engaged with the team till the end of 2023 season.
“I guess I can say – I’ll say it anyway, I’ve got nothing to hide – it’s three years,” Ricciardo said.
“So, it’s certainly enough time to get this thing going.
“I feel I’m coming here with a bunch of momentum behind the team as well, not only results, but I think some really good stability in the team and the infrastructure.”
McLaren had the best season since 2012 last year. It stood third on the constructors’ championship with two podium finishes.
The British team has been revived by new investements over the winter. It helped the team to proceed with its future ambitioins. It plans to upgrade its facility at Woking factory.
Read More Tost: Error-free season key to midfield crown
Ricciardo was first engaged by the McLaren during 2018 when he was looking to move out of Red Bull. He opted for Renault and signed two-year deal.
Earlier the Australian was not convinced of McLaren’s ability to perfrom. However, now he trust that the team have all the pieces correctly place. This pushed him to sign a long-term deal with it.
“When I talked to McLaren a couple years ago, back in 2018, there were still quite a few moving parts,” Ricciardo said.
“I don’t think Andreas [Seidl] was there yet, James Key wasn’t. And I think ultimately, not only the results weren’t quite there on track yet, but they were still trying to figure out their own structure.
“They’ve really established that now, and I’m basically just fitting in the puzzle, as opposed to trying to put it all together.
“I’m certainly feeling good about it and hanging out to drive the car. It all feels pretty right at the moment.”
