A LETTER FROM DANIEL

Daniel pays tribute to McLaren fans ahead of his final

race for the team

09:00
20.11.22

Dear Papaya Army,

Firstly, I want to start by saying thank you.

Joining McLaren was a big deal for me, a
team rich in history with a fantastic
fanbase, and you embraced me from day
one. Signing on the dotted line for this
team and climbing into the car for the
first time were proud moments, and I'll
always carry that with me.

I also want to thank you because above

anything I'm a sports fan, and I know how
it feels to ride with someone through
adversity and struggle. I know what it is
like to support and cheer for someone
when it isn't going well, it ruins your
Sunday. Through all of that, I've still felt
an overwhelming amount of support from
you all. You've remained super loyal, and I
want to say thank you for that. It would
have been easy to jump off the
bandwagon, but you've been pretty much
unconditional all year. Don't ever
underestimate the impact of your
support, I certainly haven’t ever taken it
for granted.

We'll always have Monza. The win in

Monza was a fairy tale, but what's so
great about that day is that it wasn't a
selfish fairy tale, it wasn't just me, it was
the whole team, with Lando getting
second and us having the fastest pit-stop.
It was the perfect weekend, and that
made up for a lot of the more difficult
ones because we were rewarded with the
highest of highs.

Off the track, it's been a lot of fun and I

want to say thank you to the team. When
you've been racing with a team, you're
connected for life. Sure, you switch teams,
you move on, you change, but those
connections you make are forever,
whether it be with the mechanics, the
engineers or any other team members
I've worked with. These people have
poured everything in over this two-year
period, and I won't ever lose the
connections I've made here. There is a
part of McLaren that I'll always hold close
to me. Even with the results this year, we
lay that to rest, it is what is, and we move
forward. The personal side is that I have a
lot of fond memories at McLaren.

I've really enjoyed my time with Lando,

not only as teammates but as people and
friends, we've had some great times
together, and that friendship has
blossomed. There's been a lot of great
moments between us both on and off
camera, and I'm sure you'll all have your
own favourite. It started with us banging
some drums together and making terrible
music, and along the way, we've stuck
some rubbish tattoos on each other and
were let loose with space hoppers,
although Lando might not have loved that
so much!! We've had a lot of laughs,
we've driven some fast and exciting road
cars together and giggled our way
through it all.

Finally, I am excited for the future

because I feel like I have dealt with the
highs and lows from my time here and
come out of it. On a personal level, it has
not been 'all good, all ways', it has tested
my resilience, but I have gotten through
it, and now I'm excited to see how I take
on challenges moving forwards. All of the
tests that I have encountered here and
everything that I've learned will only help
me.

As much as I'd have loved to have won

every race, I am grateful for these
experiences. My journey with McLaren
may be coming to end, but we’re
connected for life now.

Alrighty, back to racing. Time for one last

ride, let's do everything we can to finish
on a high.

No regrets, only memories.

Daniel.
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