Highly doubtful that Ricciardo is ever coming back

Beginning of the end for Ricciardo at McLaren?

Ferrari cost themselves the race win

Torquing Point: A bump in the road for Mercedes' recovery - Monaco GP Conclusion

Torquing Point: Monaco Grand Prix review

Torquing Point: Carlos Sainz's intelligence and strength shines through - Monaco GP Conclusions

Torquing Point: Sergio Perez had the measure of Max in Monaco - Monaco GP Conclusions

Torquing Point: Does Monaco Deserve A Place On The Calendar - Monaco GP Conclusions

Red Bull are the big winners in Monaco

Even now, 18 months after his Formula 1 career took a turn for the worse, there remains a curious reluctance to criticise Daniel Ricciardo.

Television pundits, former drivers with close personal relationships with him, shuffle awkwardly when asked to pinpoint where it has all gone wrong for him at McLaren.

Members of the broadcast media, particularly those who populate the TV pens, still seem set on poking Ricciardo into saying something amusing (for the social media penetration, naturally…) rather than asking directly how a driver as decorated as he has allowed himself to be totally overwhelmed by team-mate Lando Norris.

Even elements of the written media, when questioning his current career trajectory, somehow feel compelled to make it clear that it gives them absolutely no pleasure to do so.

Rarely has such a talented driver been given such an easy ride during such a protracted period of severe underperformance, yet even his greatest allies in the paddock can no longer ignore the evidence of their own eyes.

McLaren tried that tactic too at the beginning, closing their eyes and hoping Daniel’s issues would just go away, that they would ultimately prove to be linked to the specific characteristics of the team’s 2021