(Reuters) – Daniel Ricciardo is aware of he’s below strain to increase his recreation in 2022, with the Australian out to show that he nonetheless belongs amongst Formula One’s high drivers.
Ricciardo, an eight-time grand prix winner, endured a tough season final yr as he struggled to adapt to his new environment having moved from Renault to McLaren.
He handed the previous champions their first win for the reason that Brazilian Grand Prix in 2012, main workforce mate Lando Norris in a one-two in Monza.
But, he was in any other case outperformed by the youthful Briton, who took 4 podiums and completed sixth within the general standings.
Ricciardo was eighth, with the Monza win his sole podium end.
“There’s always going to be pressure in this sport, whether it’s from the team or even from the outside,” stated Ricciardo on the launch of McLaren’s 2022 automotive.
“But it’ll always be me who puts it on myself.”
The 2022 season will see cars designed to radically new rules featuring revised aerodynamics and larger 18-inch wheels.
Ricciardo, who finished third in the drivers standings for Red Bull behind only the dominant Mercedes pair in 2014 and 2016, was optimistic the reset would help him rediscover his groove.
“(I’m putting) a lot of emphasis on just getting up to speed with this car and proving that I still am one of the top guys on the grid and proving that Monza can happen again.”
“To have a change now could be kind of like new optimism, a brand new likelihood, in order that’s thrilling.”
Ricciardo additionally stated McLaren’s resolution to safe 22-year-old Norris for the long run, introduced earlier this week, with a contract conserving him on the workforce till the top of 2025 was a superb transfer for each.
He added he was proud of his personal deal, which ends in 2023 with choices for future years, and never involved that the workforce had been constructing their future round his youthful workforce mate.
“I guess I’m probably at that point now in my career where I’m not desperate to lock down a five-year contract or something,” stated the 32-year-old.
“It’s extra simply actually assessing me most likely before everything and the place I type of really feel I’m sitting.
“Maybe it’s something we’ll look into maybe the second half of this year…,” he added.
(Reporting by Abhishek Takle; enhancing by Toby Davis)
