Ricciardo: 'When you think it can’t get worse, it does'

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There was no sugar-coating Daniel Ricciardo's mediocre performance in the US Grand Prix, and the McLaren driver knew it, describing his race as the story of his 2022 season.

Ricciardo's run to P16 was relatively straight-forward, with no specific setbacks or circumstances to mitigate the dismal outcome or justify a 37-second gap to teammate Lando Norris at the checkered flag.

"I have no idea what to say," offered a desolate Ricciardo after all was said and done.

"Honestly, it’s just 2022. When you think it can’t get worse, it does.

"That’s where I don’t know, I don’t know how I’m continuing to continue because [to say] it’s painful is an understatement.

Read also: F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2022 United States GP

"[On the] year as a whole, last year was a struggle but now I look back at last year and think ‘oh, last year was actually pretty good compared to this one’.

"So I’m choosing to laugh because I don’t really want to cry. I still am going to do what I can in the last three [races].

"I’m at a point where I’m not going to hope or think or expect it’s going to be an amazing last three races. Days like today leave you feeling a bit helpless."

Ricciardo attempted to pinpoint his weakness in Austin on a chronic lack of grip of his MCL36.

"I couldn’t really push the car like I could see the others around me doing, so it was just a struggle.

"Obviously, days like this are pretty painful to try to deal with and understand as we put a lot of effort in but didn’t get rewarded."

It was another race, another under-performance and another "mystery" for the departing McLaren driver.

"It’s been the year that it’s been," Ricciardo added. "Just so far off the pace, I simply can’t lean on [the car], I can’t push, can’t get the time out of it,’ he said.

"The inconsistency through the lap times, it shows that it really is a struggle, but to have such a really big margin again, it remains a mystery.

"I love Texas, I love Austin, but that race was not enjoyable for me."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.