Daniel Ricciardo insists Red Bull will give him a fair shot at race wins even though his teammate is the multiple world champion Sebastian Vettel. Some believe that, despite the champion team pledging identical equipment and support for the young Australian in 2014, Red Bull chose Ricciardo over a high profile candidate like Kimi Raikkonen in deference to Vettel's likely status next year as a quadruple title winner.
Indeed, while "excited" at the prospect of going head-to-head with Vettel in F1's top team, 24-year-old Ricciardo also admitted he is somewhat "nervous". "And I'm curious," he is quoted by Spain's EFE news agency. "Curious to know how much faster I can be with a big team."
Ricciardo acknowledged, however, that taking on Vettel at Red Bull Racing - a task that ultimately broke the relationship between the German and outgoing teammate Mark Webber - is a "big wave" to surf. "It's true," he said. "A very big wave. But it's also the greatest opportunity I've ever had. I want to see if I really am the best in the world, or, at least, one of the best. And there is no greater challenge than to compete against the best. I will work as hard as I can. If I can be as good as him or better, I'll be happy. And if he crushes me, at least I will have tried. I believe in my ability, but when I measure myself against Seb then I will know for sure."
But will Red Bull really give Ricciardo a free run at Vettel? A free run at grand prix wins, even the title? "Yes," Ricciardo answered. "They've said that if I'm fast and I am able to win, then they're not going to stop me."
As for the rest of the 2013 campaign, Ricciardo said Vettel's rivals have an almost impossible task to stop him winning a fourth consecutive title. "While there is a mathematical chance, there's a chance," he smiled. "But with the consistency that he has, then if he doesn't have failures or accidents then it's going to be difficult for them. Because even when Seb doesn't win, he's on the podium."
Ricciardo said Vettel is now at the top of his game in every area as a F1 driver. "Many people think it's easy when you have the best car," he said. "I don't think so. Yes, he has a very good car, but when he doesn't win he's on the podium. And doing that every weekend is not easy. He is very focused mentally and doesn't care what people say. Almost no mistakes. That's how you win championships," added Ricciardo. (GMM)
Red Bull will give me fair shot at race wins - Ricciardo
- Published on 11 Sep 2013 10:52
-
0
- By: Rob Veenstra
.
Trending news
-
Waché admits Red Bull still not at desired level despite recoveryRed Bull technical director Pierre Waché has acknowledged clear progress with the RB22, but insists the team i...
14 Aug 2026 16:04 -
Cadillac appoints Marcin Budkowski as new team boss with Ferrari pedigreeCadillac has appointed Marcin Budkowski as its new team principal, bringing in a senior figure who witnessed Ferrari&...
14 Aug 2026 15:06 -
Montoya sees Newey's influence taking shape at Aston MartinJuan Pablo Montoya expects Aston Martin to take a significant step forward after the summer break, crediting Adrian N...
14 Aug 2026 14:09 -
Hamilton Echoes Verstappen Criticism of F1 OvertakingLewis Hamilton has become the latest high-profile voice to question the quality of overtaking in the current Formula ...
14 Aug 2026 13:08 -
George Russell reveals sports psychologist has been key to Mercedes performance since 2020George Russell has confirmed he has worked with the same sports psychologist since 2020, using mental coaching not as...
14 Aug 2026 12:14
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
-
Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
-
-
-
Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
-
-
-
Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
-
-
-
Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
-
-
-
Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
-
-
-
Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
-
-
-
Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
-
-
Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
-
-
Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
-
-
World Championship standings 2026
Pos
Driver
Team
Points
Pos
Team
Points
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria
Red Bull Ring
3 - Jul 5
United Kingdom
Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary
Hungaroring
Driver profile
- Team Visa Cash App RB
- Points 1,061
- Podiums 24
- Grand Prix 188
- Country AU
- Date of b. Jul 1 1989 (37)
- Place of b. Perth, AU
- Weight 64 kg
- Length 1.75 m
- 190,935 comments on Visa Cash App RB
24 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Daniel Ricciardo
Team profile
- Team name Red Bull Racing
- Base Milton Keynes, Leafield, Austria
- Liam Lawson
- Sebastian Vettel 1
- Sebastian Vettel 1
- Sebastian Vettel 1
- Sebastian Vettel 1
- Daniel Ricciardo 3
- Sebastian Vettel 5
- Isack Hadjar 6
- Pierre Gasly 10
- Sergio Perez 11
- Sebastian Vettel 15
- Yuki Tsunoda 22
- Daniil Kvyat 26
- Max Verstappen 33
- 916,787 comments on Red Bull Racing
- 686 members have this team as their favourite
- Tweets about Red Bull Racing
Replies (0)
Login to reply