McLaren 's campaign thus far may not call to bust out the balloons, but that hasn't stopped Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris from relaxing in style.
The Formula 1 duo have been racing team-mates for a little more than a year but have already developed a firm bond. Ricciardo in particular has a reputation for the eccentric and appears to be schooling his junior colleague in the art of partying.
"I mean, I didn't merely trash the room, I trashed the whole floor," said the 10-year F1 veteran during a recent panel during Miami Grand Prix race weekend. His Hilton hotel audience then turned to Norris for his most daring escapades, and the 22-year-old obliged by regaling a tale from his debut term in 2019.
“We got kicked out of the pool. We were being naughty in the pool and everyone, not just me, got kicked out. So we went up to the rooms [and] had a nice party in the rooms,” recounted the youngster.
“And that was that, so I apologize if there were any disturbed people in the ground above and the ground below. But yeah, it was good fun.”
Ricciardo, 32, may be wise to ensure his off-track festivities don't get in the way of his driving, however, amid reports he could be replaced by American Colton Herta. The Australian's move to Woking came amid a wave of expectation, but Ricciardo has failed to overwhelm at McLaren to date.
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He remains one of the most widely adored personalities on the grid but has earned a paltry 11 points so far this season. McLaren may have expected more from their star man than an eighth-placed table finish in 2021, while he's finished inside the top 10 just once after five races this campaign.
Herta, 22, became the youngest driver to win an IndyCar Series race in 2019 and is scheduled to test with McLaren in the near future. The California native and son of ex-IndyCar star Bryan Herta has described it as a "serious ambition" of his to drive in F1.
Ricciardo's partying habits may not help in that regard, though Herta still won't wish bad upon his potential rival. “Obviously I’d never wish down on someone," he told the Indianapolis Star . "I’m not praying for his [Ricciardo's] downfall. If he does well, great for him — he deserves the seat. I guess it’s all in his hands for the future.”
