Lando Norris says team-mate Daniel Ricciardo will leave him with “good memories” of their time together at McLaren, as the Australian prepares to leave the team at the end of the 2022 season.
Ricciardo joined McLaren on a multi-year deal with Renault in 2021, with the Australian handing McLaren its first victory since 2012 and collecting 134 points so far – 19 of them having competed in the first 13 Grands Prix of 2022. McLaren and Ricciardo agreed to terminate his contract early.
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“I think it’s obviously been tough,” Norris said in Belgium, when asked for his reaction to the news. “You know, between the two of us and what we want as racing drivers, we want to be up front, we want to win races and podiums
“These two years have been difficult and at the same time, they have been very pleasant. We get along very well, we have constantly tried to help each other – he has helped me in many ways and I have helped him in many ways – and he makes it very pleasant.
“I guess sometimes you have teammates who are very closed off and don’t want to talk or anything, but we had a lot of good times and good memories and good laughs, which always makes your life so much more enjoyable in Formula 1.”
Lando Norris reflects on ‘good times and memories’ after Ricciardo’s McLaren departure announcement
Ricciardo reiterated his desire to continue competing in Formula 1, while on Thursday at Spa Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton expressed their support for the former Red Bull driver.
Norris added that he wanted to see Ricciardo continue in this Championship, despite the “sad” news that he would be leaving the team in orange.
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“It’s always sad, it shows how difficult Formula 1 is, how difficult it is to perform at a level you have to be at, but I have a lot of respect for him and what he already has. accomplished in his Formula 1 career,” continued the Briton.
“And it’s not over for him; I’m sure there’s a plan B for next year. I hope I will look forward to racing against him next year.
Norris – whose mother is Belgian – is now preparing for one of his home races this weekend. The 22-year-old crashed out of qualifying for last year’s race which was cut short by heavy rain at Spa-Francorchamps. He will start Sunday’s race from 18th after taking grid penalties for powertrain changes, with Ricciardo ready from 7th.
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