Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert has blasted Daniel Ricciardo’s move to McLaren this year, saying his growing pains had surprised everyone.
“Daniel has been a shocker,” Herbert told Motorsport Magazine.
“We never expected him to struggle so much.
The 57-year-old, who now works as a pundit for Sky, said there was no questioning the Australian’s talent.
“I can empathise with him and it’s terrible, especially when it’s been so long and you still haven’t found the answer,” he said.
“Still, we know how good he is and he knows it too.
“I’ve heard Daniel’s problems are brake-related, but it’s also down to aerodynamics.
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Herbert, who retired in 2000, said that Ricciardo’s form slump needed to be arrested soon before it was too late.
“He’s not too old, he hasn’t had a bad crash. There have been plenty of drivers for whom it (their talent) just evaporated.
“I go back to Jean (Alesi). He was the ‘next big thing’ and yet he only won one Grand Prix. It didn’t work for him, with all his natural talent.
“The problem is that if it doesn’t get better, the rumours start, and once that starts and the tornado accelerates, you’re just a passenger.”
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