W Series drivers will be writing a series of columns for The Race this year, giving their verdicts on what’s going on in Formula 1. This week, Caitlin Wood explains why she believes Daniel Ricciardo may join Carlos Sainz Jr in having second thoughts about the 2021 deal he’d signed before the start of the 2020 campaign.
During the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday we caught a glimpse of Carlos Sainz shaking his head as he watched his future employers, Ferrari, struggling badly at Spa. In contrast, the man replacing him at McLaren next year, Daniel Ricciardo, was all smiles after equalling his best result for Renault. But I wonder whether, behind that famously big grin, the Australian is also beginning to lament his decision to jump ship.
As Ferrari’s form shows most clearly, it is amazing how quickly things can change in this sport. If you had asked me a few months ago I would have said, unequivocally, that Ricciardo’s move to McLaren was the right one. It felt like there was something missing at Renault and, having just turned 31, Ricciardo was better off cutting his losses and moving to McLaren – the third-most successful constructor in F1 history.
It takes most drivers several months to adapt to a new environment – be it a team, a car or a series – and, after a tough first 18 months at Renault, it seems Ricciardo is starting to feel at ease there. Now he must go through the same process with McLaren, starting from scratch in 2021. There is no way of knowing how long it will take or what kind of form both teams will be in next year (just ask Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc) but, right now, I’d rather be in a Renault than a McLaren.
I raced at Spa in GT4 in 2016 and loved it. The long straights expose any deficiency in engine power, there is a great mix of corners and it is undulating – simply a great all-round examination of your package and ability. Therefore, getting both cars into the top five bodes very well for Renault in the battle to be the best of the rest this season. Tyre management and performance extraction is (sadly) the defining factor in modern F1 and Renault look to be leading the tight midfield battle in that regard.
As the front three crawled to the chequered flag at Spa, fearing a repeat of the tyre blowouts which spiced things up at Silverstone last month, Ricciardo was able to keep his foot planted on the accelerator and take almost five seconds per lap out of the leaders. ‘A bit of degradation but all good,’ he told his team over the radio in the closing stages as he roared home to take the bonus point for fastest lap.
He would have needed a few more of them to catch and pass Max Verstappen but, having also gone wheel-to-wheel with his former Red Bull team-mate at the start of the race, Ricciardo and Renault are now firmly in the podium picture going to Monza – another circuit which suits them.
Ricciardo was breathless after that final lap, which was a reminder of his supreme talent. I still firmly believe he has a world title in him, but next season will be his 11th in F1 so the McLaren move must work quickly and he must perform consistently, even when things aren’t in his favour.
Sunday felt like the first time since his last season at Red Bull that we have seen a ‘watch out, coming through’ drive from Ricciardo. On his good days he is fully committed and the overtakes live long in the memory – a bit like Verstappen. But he needs to get better at the boring stuff, like holding a position or nursing the car home to maximise his points haul – a bit like Verstappen at Spa.
As a fellow Aussie I am always delighted to see Ricciardo performing well. He is a massive name in Australia where the public have really bought into his upbeat personality and uplifting messages. He has attracted new fans to the sport back home and we are beginning to see that bear fruit in the junior categories.
It feels like Australian motorsport is on the right track and Ricciardo is leading the way. Having that representation at the highest level is crucial as it makes young drivers believe that they can get there too.
It’s something we talk about at W Series in our push to get more women involved in the sport – if you can see it, you can be it.
Caitlin Wood finished 13th in the inaugural W Series championship in 2019.
The 23-year-old Australian has raced in several series, including Blancpain GT, and has been competing in the W Series Esports League this summer.
