Jenson Button was surprised to hear McLaren CEO Zak Brown say publicly that Daniel Ricciardo is not living up to the team's expectations.
Jenson Button was surprised to hear McLaren CEO Zak Brown publicly say that Daniel Ricciardo is not living up to the team's expectations.
"Zak owns himself, I can't change his opinions and what he talks about, but I was surprised he said that," Button said on the program of .
"Everyone in the team should be protecting the drivers. Formula One is a real mind game. They all have immense ability, but you don't perform if your head is not in the right place.
"I was surprised that Zak said he is not living up to expectations - we all know that. However, when you hear that from your team boss, it definitely hurts.
"I hope they have talked since then and can focus on just getting the best out of Daniel and the team around him for the rest of the year. Then we will see where he ends up in the future."
Ricciardo has a contract with McLaren for next year, but Brown cited mechanisms that would allow for an early termination.
When asked about Ricciardo's immediate future, Button replied, "Daniel went to the team in a very strong position, so I would say the contract is more favorable to him, but there will always be clauses."
"To be fair, if a team doesn't want you racing for them, you don't want to be there - and vice versa. There is usually an easier way out than just the clauses in the contract."