The new upgrade package includes a new floor and sidepods, with Norris having priority for Singapore as Ricciardo will take delivery next weekend in Japan.
The Australian admitted that the Woking team could not prepare enough parts to fit both cars this weekend, and that Norris was the first to play as he stays and therefore needs to learn as much as possible before 2023.
“Lando got it,” Ricciardo said when asked by Autosport about the upgrades. “Just with time and regardless, resources in the end, we’ll both get him in Japan, but this weekend it’s just him.
“And I guess the next question is why him?” It’s also a lot of development and guidance for 2023. So that’s pretty much it.
“And obviously he’s here next year, I’m not, so for him to have another weekend to give his thoughts to the team and obviously the direction for next year is ultimately the reason.”
Ricciardo has played down any suggestion that he loses because he leaves the team at the end of the season.
“This weekend he is getting the update, but as far as I know in Japan I will have exactly the same as him.
“Obviously moving forward, maybe if there’s another one…I mean, I think it’s now, it’ll be our last update. So I would say from Japan, I anticipate that we will have the same things until the end of the year.
McLaren MCL36 side detail
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
“Again, if there is maybe a part with a view to 2023, I would probably assume he gets it. But I think this weekend is probably the only one where there will be that difference.
Ricciardo acknowledged there could be advantages to having an unchanged car before the weekend, rather than having to adapt to the new parts.
“I mean, normally you want it, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not as simple as, okay, we’re going to lock it down, you’re going to go five tenths faster.
“I hope it will be faster because it means Japan looks good. But let’s see. But again, for me it will be familiar. So go for it, that’s not a bad thing But time will tell.
