Daniel Ricciardo has copped a pasting on social media after making his F1 commentary debut alongside TV star Will Arnett at the Canadian Grand Prix.
The two close friends teamed to host an alternative broadcast of the race in Montreal, with Ricciardo at the track combining his duties as Red Bull’s reserve driver.
To no one’s surprise, Red Bull ace Max Verstappen notched the team’s 100th F1 win as he led every lap to finish ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, with Lewis Hamilton and his silver Mercedes finishing in third.
But all many could talk about was Ricciardo and Arnett on ‘The Grandstand’ as the light-hearted broadcast made its debut.
The show is billed as the F1 equivalent to the NFL’s popular ‘Manningcast’ alternative commentary on Monday night games, where Super Bowl-winning brothers Peyton and Eli Manning dissect the play with their trademark humour.
WHO IS THE IDIOT AT ESPN2 THAT THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA?
— Riaan Kruger (@RiaanKruge67817) June 18, 2023
Red Bull reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo was trackside at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal on Sunday – before making his commentary debut to very mixed reviews
The Aussie appeared in alternative F1 broadcast ‘The Grandstand’ alongside Hollywood star Will Arnett (pictured)
But the F1 version didn’t quite live up to the NFL legends – despite having two superstar footballers on the show as well.
Two-time Pro Bowl Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, a good friend of Ricciardo’s, popped by for a chat, as did legendary running back Marshawn Lynch.
Then there was Grey’s Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey and comedian The Kid Mero.
But despite the blockbuster list of cameo appearances, the broadcast fell flat, with many fans tearing the awkward show to shreds online.
‘This f**king sucks! This is unwatchable. Delete,’ commented one, with another writing: ‘Who is the idiot at ESPN that thought this was a good idea?’
‘Don’t do this s**t again. Never seen a worse broadcast,’ said another.
‘Coverage is so bad. ESPN is killing F1 in the States. Commentary is so cringe,’ decried a fed-up American.
I’m watching The Grandstand, where Danny Ric and Will Arnett are commentating… and the race hasn’t even properly started and it already seems very awkward and amateur-ish. Like I don’t like the SkySports commentary whatsoever, but even that might be better than this ???
— meg ? (@contrasif1an) June 18, 2023
Bruv. Let me tell you.
This Daniel Ricciardo watch a long ting is FUCKING AWFULLLLLL ????
I had to switch off after 2 minutes these man are hardly talking ?
— Quick Stop F1 Podcast (@QuickStopF1) June 18, 2023
I expected Daniel Ricciardo & Will Arnett to be like Peyton and Eli, funny and insightful, but it’s not…
Daniel needs to be paired with someone with experience commentating in F1 #CanadianGP #Formula1
— Robert (@roberthidal) June 18, 2023
Daniel Ricciardo is eating poutine. Will Arnett is trying. Not sure The Grandstand is good
— BrakeHard (@BrakeHardBlog) June 18, 2023
Re: this whole ESPN2/The Grandstand F1 thing – Daniel Ricciardo is great. Patrick Dempsey is great. Will Arnett is awful and if I turn it off, it will be because of him.
— Danielle (@pageymoon) June 18, 2023
Fans were scathing of Will Arnett’s commentary on the race, saying he was just ‘talking about nonsense’
Some criticised Arnett’s take on the race, with the Arrested Development star sorely lacking in F1 knowledge.
‘Will needs to quit talking. Is he even watching the race at this point?? He is just talking about nonsense. Daniel is the only one trying to talk about the race,’ commented one.
‘Fun to hear Ricciardo and Dempsey talk about the race and racing, but Will Arnett isn’t at all qualified for this. Its a mess! He looks so confused and is just repeating what they tell him in his ear. Gonna have to turn the volume off for the rest of the race,’ wrote another.
Issues with the streaming didn’t exactly help, and it was clear there was not much preparation for what was a clunky broadcast.
For their part, both Arnett and Ricciardo admitted it wasn’t their best effort.
Ricciardo admitted he had a pretty tough F1 commentary debut during the Canadian Grand Prix
‘You know what, that was harder than a race. There’s a lot going on. I’m sure we’ll get used to it (though),’ said Ricciardo.
‘Listen man, that was our first ever. We just did a TV show! That was a live television program,’ replied a clearly pleased Arnett.
It was quite the hodge-podge of content aside a F1 race.
At one point Ricciardo ate was is practically Canada’s national dish, Poutine, before washing it down with what is essentially Canada’s national liquid: maple syrup.
He was particularly excited when his good buddy Allen came on the screen, tuning in from the Los Angeles Country Club, where he was watching the US Open.
The pair have become very close since meeting at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2019.
They consider themselves kindred spirits of sorts, with Ricciardo saying in 2021: ‘We’re like step brothers. Somehow, we just became best friends.’
It’s the ultimate bromance, and that was clear to viewers
Ricciardo (left) is ‘best friends’ with NFL superstar Josh Allen (right), and had him on the show during his commentary debut
The Aussie got to see his good mate in action live for the first time at a Bills v Jets game last year
‘I gotta get this one out there! We’re both very comfortable saying, we’re both each other’s man crush! It’s a thing,’ Ricciardo recently said of the Bills quarterback.
Ricciardo finally got to see his bestie play in person for the first time last year, when he saw Allen and the Bills take on the New York Jets.
Red Bull’s reserve driver is clearly enjoying his time on the sidelines, and it remains to be seen whether he will be back in a car next season.
If the fans are to be believed, they would certainly rather he be in a car than a commentary box with Arnett.
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