McLaren boss Brown jokes F1 fans important to 'pay Ricciardo'

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has joked fans of F1 are important because they allow the team to afford Daniel Ricciardo's contract.

Silverstone will host a full-capacity crowd for this weekend's British Grand Prix, the first event since the Covid-19 pandemic hit last year to do so.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where Daniel Ricciardo drove Ayrton Senna's MP4/5B, Brown highlighted the importance of fans to F1.

"At the end of the day, we go motor racing for the fans," he said.

"The whole ecosystem of F1 is built with the fans in mind. Without great fans, we won't have countries that put on races, we won't have sponsors on the race cars, we wouldn't be able to afford to pay Daniel.

"So to get the fans back, that is what the sport is about so it is great. It is our home race and we are just super excited to be back."

Ricciardo hoping to contribute to trophy cabinet

McLaren arrives at its home race off the back of yet another Lando Norris podium with Ricciardo adding valuable points to the team's push for third in the constructors' championship despite a difficult qualifying in Austria.

On his team's fortunes, Ricciardo commented: "I am obviously pumped to see the team do well and obviously be a part of that now but of course, I want to get on the podium and make my contribution to the trophy cabinet.

"Silverstone has a lot of good memories for me and to go back there with a British team, it is cool so I am hanging out."

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