Ricciardo happy with human teammate Vettel for 2014

  • Published on 03 Nov 2013 17:31
  • comments 0
  • By: Danny Sosef
Daniel Ricciardo might be forgiven if his excitement is tempered by nerves as the last few races of the 2013 season play out. On the one hand, the 24-year-old Australian is about to join F1's dominantly-competitive team, the reigning four time world champions Red Bull.

But his teammate will be Sebastian Vettel, the indomitable German who according to many paddock insiders has raced into F1 greatness this year alongside legends like Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher.

On Saturday in Abu Dhabi, however - the first qualifying session since Vettel wrapped up his fourth title - Vettel was outpaced by his retiring teammate Mark Webber, who will start Sunday's race from pole.

Ricciardo is taking countryman Webber's place for 2014.

"Something like that," said Ricciardo, referring to Vettel's qualifying defeat, "shows that he (Vettel) is human.

"Sebastian has always been very strong here, so I think Mark is very happy with that and it gives me a little hope for the coming year," he is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace.

Ricciardo is understandbly spending his last three races with Toro Rosso with a watchful eye over proceedings at the senior team, and his on-form 2014 teammate.

"He (Vettel) is in the form of his life," he admitted to the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag. "I don't see a single weakness.

"Maybe I should put something in his food," the Perth-born racer joked, flashing his characteristic and ever-present grin.

Ricciardo insisted, however, that he does not fear the prospect of going head-to-head with Vettel next year.

"I think that as a four-time world champion, Sebastian has a lot more pressure than I do," he said.

"I am just a young driver so no one expects that I will beat him."

Perhaps, however, he fears becoming a second incarnation of Webber, who after coming close to beating Vettel to the title in 2010 has since been utterly beaten by the successful German.

Some even believe in a 'conspiracy' at the energy drink-owned team, with Vettel getting preferential treatment and equipment. Undoubtedly, the relationship between Vettel and Webber has not been a friendly one.

"Everything that happened between Mark and Sebastian," Ricciardo insisted, "has nothing to do with me and nothing to do with next year."

He told Austria's Kleine Zeitung newspaper that nothing in his new contract makes him a 'number 2' driver.

Indeed, he said both his and Vettel's deal includes a clause that says one driver must support the other if the other is out of the fight for the title.

Theoretically, then, Vettel might have to ride shotgun for Ricciardo.

The Australian laughed: "Yes. If that's the case, it means I've had a very nice season!

"Obviously I know that is being very optimistic."

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 00:11

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 00:11

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2 2024
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia
5 - Apr 7 2024
Japan
19 - Apr 21 2024
China
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America
17 - May 19 2024
Italy
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco
7 - Jun 9 2024
Canada
21 - Jun 23 2024
Spain
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary
26 - Jul 28 2024
Belgium
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22 2024
Singapore
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America
25 - Oct 27 2024
Mexico
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America
29 - Dec 1 2024
Qatar
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2 2024
7 - Mar 9 2024
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24 2024
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7 2024
19 - Apr 21 2024
3 - May 5 2024
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19 2024
24 - May 26 2024
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9 2024
21 - Jun 23 2024
28 - Jun 30 2024
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7 2024
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21 2024
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28 2024
23 - Aug 25 2024
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1 2024
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15 2024
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22 2024
18 - Oct 20 2024
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27 2024
1 - Nov 3 2024
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24 2024
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1 2024
6 - Dec 8 2024
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Visa Cash App RB
  • Points 1,061
  • Podiums 24
  • Grand Prix 188
  • Country AU
  • Date of b. Jul 1 1989 (35)
  • Place of b. Perth, AU
  • Weight 64 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile
show sidebar