Button surprised by Brown comments | 'Tricky situation' for Ricciardo

Jenson Button says Daniel Ricciardo has been placed in a difficult position after the McLaren driver was accused of not meeting the team's expectations.

Ricciardo suffered another setback at the Monaco GP, finishing 13th following a crash in practice two.

The incident came days after McLaren chief executive Zak Brown told Sky Sports F1's Any Driven Monday the Australian is not "comfortable" with the car and failing to meet his or the team's expectations.

Speaking on this week's show, Button said: "Zak is his own man and I can't change his thoughts and what he says, but I was surprised that he came out and said that.

"Everyone with the team should be protecting these drivers.

"Formula 1 is a real mental game. They all have immense skill but you don't perform if your head is not in the right place.

"I was surprised Zak came out and said he was not meeting expectations - we all know that. But when your team principal comes out and says that, it definitely hurts. From Daniel's response, it hurt.

"I'm hoping that they have talked since the race and they can just focus on really getting the best out of Daniel and the team around him for the rest of the year. Then we'll see where he ends up in the future.

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