F1 2021: Mark Webber backs Daniel Ricciardo to challenge for Formula One title at McLaren

There’s plenty of hype around Daniel Ricciardo and his switch to McLaren. But what should you expect from the Aussie? Mark Webber and Alan Jones share their thoughts.

Mark Webber is backing Daniel Ricciardo to challenge for a world title with McLaren within the next three years as the Australian prepares to make his debut for his new team this weekend in Bahrain.

Declaring Ricciardo should be “licking his chops” over his Mercedes-powered machinery, Webber predicted McLaren and the Australian would be “brilliant for each other”.

After a two-year stop at Renault — now rebranded to Alpine — Ricciardo will line up with his fifth team in Formula One this year as he continues to chase an elusive world title.

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Mark Webber believes race wins are not out of the question for Daniel Ricciardo with McLaren this season. Picture: Joe Portlock/Getty Images

Ricciardo achieved his best result in the championship last year — fifth — since his penultimate year at Red Bull in 2017, but there is excitement around his switch to McLaren as they move to a Mercedes-powered engine in 2021.

After finishing third in the constructors championship last year, McLaren’s stocks appear to be on the rise and Ricciardo’s move is also set to coincide with the introduction of the sport’s new regulations next year, which are hoped will even the playing field.

Ricciardo has signed a three-year deal with McLaren — and Webber said that investment gave the relationship plenty of time to work.

“Within those three years, yes, he can challenge for a championship,” Webber said.

“It’s up to the team to give him the material to do that. But as we know in Formula One, it’s very, very hard to challenge for championships, so you need a lot to come together.

There is plenty of excitement around McLaren and Daniel Ricciardo this season. Picture: Getty Images

“We can say, ‘Yeah, no worries he can win a title’, which he can, but you’ve got to have a lot to come together and he knows that.

“We’re not in Disneyland here. Hoping and praying doesn’t do much for the stop watch, you’ve got to have it all come together and that’s what he is trying to do.

“He is totally in the fight … he has still got time on his side to get that job done.

“The McLaren relationship is crucial, I think they are going to be brilliant for each other.

“McLaren have got great investment around them now, I think the team is definitely in the ascendancy, so he is in the right timing for them and he is in the perfect peak of his life and the peak of his career with his performance.”

Ricciardo, 31, claimed two podiums at Renault last year, but he hasn’t had a race win since his Monaco victory in 2018 with Red Bull.

Daniel Ricciardo will make his debut for McLaren at the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend. Picture: AFP

So, what is a realistic expectation for Ricciardo — a seven-time Grand Prix winner with Red Bull — in his first year with McLaren?

Webber expected Ricciardo to be on the podium and race wins were not out of reach.

“I think a victory from pole position is probably a bit of a step too far, controlling the race, leading every lap, but there can be wins,” the nine-time Grand Prix winner said.

“Daniel is the master of being there when it counts to get those wins and he has proven that many, many times.

“If there are opportunities, there will be no one better to grab them, but it would be a different day to start on pole and disappear into the distance to win.

“I don’t think McLaren would expect that in their wildest dreams, but he can win a race or two in different circumstances like he has done in the past.”

Webber predicted McLaren’s new Mercedes power unit could mean “three-tenths a lap” for McLaren.

Mark Webber says Daniel Ricciardo should be “licking his chops” about his Mercedes-powered McLaren. Picture: Joe Portlock/Getty Images

“They had a brilliant year last year with an underpowered engine you could argue,” the former Red Bull star said.

“If they’ve got a bit more horsepower there from the Merc in the back, it will be only beneficial, too, in terms of packaging and cooling and all the things that come with it.

“It is a phenomenal engine and it is very efficient to design the car around.

“So McLaren will be licking their chops at that, so will Daniel. I think if you were in the stock market, which I am not, I would be putting shares on Daniel.”

Former Formula One world champion Alan Jones agreed the Mercedes engine factor was significant for McLaren — and Ricciardo.

“It certainly is the best engine in Formula One there is no doubt about that,” Jones said.

“I think this is a good opportunity for him to be up there, to be further up the pointy end than what he has been.

“He has got a far better chance of being on the podium than what he did last year for sure.

“It’s a very good dynamic within the McLaren team. They are a very friendly team, they all get on extremely well and Zak Brown, who is the CEO, runs a pretty good ship.

“It’s my impression that Daniel will feel more at home with this team than virtually any other team he has been with.”

Originally published as F1 2021: Mark Webber backs Daniel Ricciardo to challenge for Formula One title at McLaren