Villeneuve: Ricciardo’s time at McLaren is over

The 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve summed up the results of the Monaco Grand Prix and suggested that McLaren had practically decided to refuse the services of Daniel Ricciardo.

Jacques Villeneuve: “It’s nice to see that the Monaco Grand Prix is ​​still important, and the drivers want to get back to this podium, even if it’s an unusual and strange race. And we were convinced that the track in Monaco could of course make for a spectacular fight.

Regardless of how you feel about races like the Indy 500 or Le Mans, they are still present in IndyCar and endurance racing. It’s impossible to build such iconic tracks these days, but we have to keep them. In Formula 1 there is also a race like that – in Monaco, and it should be cherished.

Charles Leclerc was much better than the rest, just like in Barcelona. He was relaxed all weekend and kept the situation under control. That’s to be expected, of course, because his car is fast in slow corners. But I don’t understand what happened in the race. Ferrari didn’t want to risk Leclerc? Not taking risks in a city that likes gambling and casinos? The “no risk” strategy never pays off in Monaco. Both Sainz and Perez made the right decision.

Leclerc was the strongest for two stages in a row. He made no mistakes, he drove well, but in Barcelona he stopped because of a technical problem and in Monaco the strategy didn’t work. He didn’t even make the podium and again lost points to Max. Ferrari has lost momentum, although they should be in the lead, including in the Constructors’ Championship.

Sergio Perez is a contender for the title. He’s fast all year round and the only teammate who hasn’t pulverized Max. Of course Sergio is a team player, although experienced and not the same as all Latin American riders – he is restrained and not hot-tempered. Maybe when he first made his debut in Formula 1, everything was different, but not now. Experience helps him.

Sergio joined Max’s team in the knowledge that Max is king, but Perez continues to give his best, is still fast when needed and has now won in Monaco. This is the most important win of the racer’s career and now he also claims the title.

Why does he claim? Red Bull fights with another team, so they can’t always give orders to let a teammate through. Team orders work when your riders are in first and second place in a race, but not when they are in first and third place. So Sergio has a trick up his sleeve. It was different with Bottas and Hamilton because they didn’t have to fight against other teams, which made it easier to use team tactics.

Daniel Ricciardo’s time at McLaren is over. Team boss Zach Brown has already said he has clauses in his contract that could allow him to split up. Such words from the leader mean that the decision is almost made. This is a way to pressure the rider and prepare the press for the news.

Ultimately, Ricciardo is a well-paid driver who has cost the team a lot of money. However, he doesn’t score any points and he doesn’t have the speed the team needs to develop the car. They waste money on it. It’s cheaper for McLaren to keep paying Ricciardo’s salary, but put another driver behind the wheel of his car and let Daniel rest on the couch at home. It’s a harsh reality, but that’s just how Formula 1 is.”