Track Torque: Lando Norris ‘does not look like a good man’ after Daniel Ricciardo statements

Lando Norris‘ brutal honesty about Daniel Ricciardo’s axing from McLaren has left a bad taste in the mouths of the Formula One community, writes ADAM PEACOCK.

Norris has not won over any new fans after a week in Belgium. Picture: Dan Mullan/Getty Images

As the brake dust settles on Daniel Ricciardo’s imminent departure from McLaren, the lack of sympathy for his plight from teammate Lando Norris continues to rankle close observers of Formula One.

At last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, every driver on the grid had a conciliatory tone about Ricciardo’s fate. Except one. His McLaren teammate.

“I hate to say it, but no,” Norris said when asked if he felt for Ricciardo.

“It’s not my job to focus on someone else, and I’m not a driver coach, I’m not here to help and do those kinds of things.”

The team from CODE Sports’ Formula One podcast Track Torque were scathing of Norris’ take.

“I was actually really disappointed by Lando Norris,” Emily Benammar says.

“When someone loses their drive, or leaves the sport, just fake a little bit of respect. Lando Norris does not look like a good man.”

Matt Hickey, Track Torque’s resident Daniel Ricciardo fanatic, was taken aback by Norris’ summation that any driver would feel sympathy for another driver losing a seat because they “have not been able to do as good of a job”.

“If you are Lando Norris’ team, PR crew, whatever, you are shaking your head saying, ‘What are you doing?’” Hickey says on Track Torque.

“Now, you may be right in saying that, or people will agree, but is it that hard to say I’m a bit sympathetic if it didn’t work out for him?

“It was a lack of awareness of the situation, you have to come across better than that if you want to build your brand.

“I just don’t think (Lando) gets anything from it.”

The Time Motor Racing Correspondent Rebecca Clancy, who has known Norris since he was an up-and-coming teenager in the development series below Formula One, was also left disappointed by the British driver’s attitude.

“One thing about Lando is he’s super honest, perhaps to a fault,” Clancy says.

Norris has been very honest during the Ricciardo contract saga. Picture: Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Clancy pointed out Norris’ ‘not my job’ line, which was in reference to sharing data in the garage with Daniel Ricciardo to mutually benefit the team. Clancy feels Norris was misguided with his selfish attitude.

“Well, actually it is your job (to share), you’re fighting for the team, not fighting for the championship, so that’s actually part of your job,” Clancy says.

“I imagine he’s been pulled aside and told you need to be working with your teammate.

“You can’t say screw him, I’m gonna go out and win, it’s all about me. Because it’s not all about you. It’s about the team. That is the reality when you are fighting for fourth and fifth.”

Clancy shared a tale from 2018 when Norris was racing in the series below Formula One, F2, and flying around Europe on budget airlines.

Ricciardo has received plenty of support this week, just not much from his McLaren teammate. Picture: Dan Mullan/Getty Images

“I always remember Lando being in the same row as me, sitting in a middle seat and thinking how long it will be before he’s on the private jets and not flying easyJet?” Clancy says.

“He’s on the private jets now, living in Monaco, living the dream and I think a little bit of me on the weekend thought he’s got slightly swept up in it all. He’s this 22-year-old lad, supermodel girlfriend.

“I think he should be slightly more respectful to the people who have gone before him.”

Regardless of team dynamics, Norris and Ricciardo will be hoping for an improved showing at this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix.

The McLaren set-up battled horribly in Belgium with a now trademark lack of pace and overtaking ability seeing Norris limp home in 12th and Ricciardo 15th.

Norris has now beaten Ricciardo home in 11 of the 14 races so far in 2022.

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Originally published as Track Torque: Lando Norris ‘does not look like a good man’ after Daniel Ricciardo statements