Formula 1 News: Daniel Ricciardo hoping new F1 cars are ‘a nice handful’ as he looks to put behind the 2021 season struggles

Formula 1 News: McLaren have launched their 2022 F1 car, the MCL36: Daniel Ricciardo, the McLaren driver has multiple Grand Prix victories to his name. The Australian driver told the media that he is eagerly waiting to drive the new MCL36. He also wants to put behind the struggles he faced in the 2021 season. Follow InsideSport.IN for more Formula 1 News and Updates.

Daniel earned his first victory in 2018 Monza in his maiden year for McLaren. It was also the first victory for McLaren since the 2012 Formula 1 season. But he finished behind his teammate, Lando Norris in the eighth position with 115 points. He struggled with McLaren’s MCL35M in the 2021 season.

Formula 1 News: Daniel Ricciardo hoping new F1 cars are ‘a nice handful’ as he looks to put behind the 2021 season struggles

Also Read: Formula 1: McLaren reveal 2022 challenger, the MCL36

While at the launch of McLaren’s new car MCL36, he was asked whether the 2021 struggles were beneficial for him in the long run. Ricciardo replied, “Yeah, I think so. It’s kind of the beauty of some struggles is that there is always something to learn from it. You learn from struggles, mistakes, or an event. You learn through experience.”

McLaren Racing has landed in 2022. 🤩#FearlesslyForward

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) February 11, 2022

“Simply, it kind of occurred to me that I did not really know my strengths. I knew that I could be fast, but I thought maybe because I’ve got bigger balls. But going through it, I realized this is what made me fast in years past. This is actually what gives me the confidence in the car, this actually where I am better than others.”

Formula 1 News: Daniel Ricciardo hoping new F1 cars are ‘a nice handful’ as he looks to put behind the 2021 season struggles

“I’ve gained some good knowledge with that now. I am sure there will still be some highs and lows, but I am sure I will be able to adapt better than in 2021. Hopefully, you’ll see me driving free as a bird in 2022!”

The 2022 cars have been designed for close racing. The downforce is also generated predominantly through working the underfloors of the cars. When he was asked how the cars will behave on the track, he said, “Race cars can be nice handfuls. If you watch IndyCar, they’re wrestling them, especially on the road courses.”

“For me, I look around and say that looks fun. So, there is nice fun and ugly fun. I hope this is nice fun!”

Formula 1 News: Daniel Ricciardo hoping new F1 cars are ‘a nice handful’ as he looks to put behind the 2021 season struggles

“If this allows us to be closer, to have a little bit more of a braking zone. I hope we have to brake a little bit earlier on these cars. And, buy ourselves a bit more distance to work with. I think that will promote not only more overtaking but more chances for the big D.R.I.C.C. to come back!”

Ricciardo also met his family during the winter break. It was a ‘fix’ that he needed before the start of the record-breaking 23 races this year.

“It was really nice to get back. It wasn’t without its struggles, as I was staring at a hotel ceiling for two weeks! But actually walking out and getting the air hug from Mum and Dad and all the rest of them, it was really nice.”

Formula 1 News: Daniel Ricciardo hoping new F1 cars are ‘a nice handful’ as he looks to put behind the 2021 season struggles

“Then I had about four weeks at home, out of quarantine. A lot of that was with the family, doing simple things, and catching up, so it was the refresher I needed. It’s always hard leaving, and it doesn’t make leaving any easier. But that was the fix that I needed and certainly longed for it at times in ’21.”

McLaren’s new car will be seen at the pre-season testing in Barcelona on February 23rd. However, the car will hit the track a day before the 23rd for filming day.

Formula 1 News: Daniel Ricciardo hoping new F1 cars are ‘a nice handful’ as he looks to put behind the 2021 season struggles