Zak Brown Defends Daniel Ricciardo Amid F1 Struggles
Zak Brown Defends Daniel Ricciardo Amid F1 Struggles...
McLaren CEO Zak Brown publicly backed Daniel Ricciardo on Monday after the Australian driver's rocky start to the 2026 F1 season. The comments come as Ricciardo faces mounting criticism for underperforming compared to teammate Lando Norris, sparking debate among U.S. fans ahead of May's Miami Grand Prix.
Brown told reporters at McLaren's Woking headquarters that Ricciardo remains "a vital part of our team" despite scoring just 12 points in the first four races. The CEO specifically addressed rumors about Ricciardo's future, stating: "Daniel's experience and racecraft are invaluable as we develop this year's car."
The remarks gained traction in American motorsport circles after ESPN's live broadcast of Sunday's Imola Grand Prix highlighted Ricciardo's P14 finish. Social media engagement data shows U.S. interest spiked when Brown's comments were shared by prominent F1 accounts like @F1GuyOfficial, which has 1.2 million American followers.
Ricciardo's popularity stateside stems from his Netflix "Drive to Survive" appearances and viral 2021 Monza victory with McLaren. The team's partnership with Indianapolis-based sponsor Gainbridge has further raised their U.S. profile ahead of November's Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Current betting odds from Caesars Sportsbook show Ricciardo at +2500 to win in Miami, compared to Norris at +800. Motorsport analysts note the Australian needs strong results soon, with rising IndyCar star Colton Herta frequently mentioned as a potential replacement.
McLaren will unveil upgrades for their MCL38 car before the May 7-9 Miami event. Team principal Andrea Stella confirmed these developments could help Ricciardo "extract more performance" from the current package.
The F1 paddock now shifts focus to this weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Ricciardo finished fourth last year. Pressure mounts as the 34-year-old seeks his first points since March's Saudi Arabian GP.
U.S. viewership records for F1 continue climbing, with ESPN reporting 1.4 million average viewers for 2026 races. The Miami GP sold out within hours last December, demonstrating Ricciardo's appeal remains strong despite his struggles.
