Daniel Ricciardo says racing against Sebastian Vettel has been good for his career, although they will no longer be team mates at the end of the year.
Following today’s announcement that Vettel will leave the team before next season, Ricciardo told reporters at Suzuka he was happy with his performance against the world champion this year.
“I’m glad I at least got one year to race with him and see how he works,” said Ricciardo. “I heard a lot about his work ethic before the season and it was good to do that, I think I’ve measured well to him.”
“He moves on but I think it’s done my career good as well to have Seb to go up against. It’s been a good year.”
With five races remaining in 2014 Ricciardo has compared favourably against the four-times world champion and scored all three of Red Bull’s wins this year.
Ricciardo’s new team mate will by Daniil Kvyat, but despite his seniority within the team Ricciardo does not expect ‘number one’ driver status.
“Obviously Danny’s now the new kid on the block, I’m not,” he said. “But even with Seb this year, even though he’s got number one on the car the team have never said ‘this is the leader’.”
“Obviously he knew the guys and won a lot more with them, but they never really said ‘one’ and ‘two’. Danny’s coming in and I will expect him to be quick so I wont take anything or granted and I won’t walk around like I’m number one, no.”
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Image © Red Bull/Getty
Formula-I (@)
4th October 2014, 8:59
Well, one day he will be a champion
David Not Coulthard (@davidnotcoulthard)
4th October 2014, 9:08
Actually, Danny is the senior as well, Danny!
WH
4th October 2014, 13:33
They will always only be my second favourite Dan and Dan… https://youtu.be/_RAB96S7BAw
Strontium (@strontium)
4th October 2014, 9:45
Of course it’s been good for his career! He’s gone and beaten a 4-time WDC!!
Prof Kirk (@prof-kirk)
4th October 2014, 10:40
If Dan beats Seb.
And Danny beats Dan.
Does that mean Danny can beat Seb?
Formula-I (@)
4th October 2014, 10:57
If Jev beat Danny and Dan so he can beat Seb
Hugh
4th October 2014, 11:38
Mark beat Nico, but Nico (will) beat Lewis, but Seb beat Mark and Danny Ric beat Seb.
Formula-I (@)
5th October 2014, 0:42
but Lewis beat Mark. The illustration is Rock-paper-scissors
Stig Semper Fi (@stigsemperfi)
4th October 2014, 11:20
My head hurts.
Andre (@lheela)
4th October 2014, 11:37
Well, that would mean:
Alonso beats Fisichella.
Fisichella beats Button.
Button beats Hamilton.
Hamilton beats Alonso.
So Alonso beats Alonso.
Pretty strange, isn’t it?
pSynrg (@psynrg)
5th October 2014, 0:15
Lol, love it :) Succinctly illustrating the futility of the “he beats him therefore…” arguments.
Alex W
5th October 2014, 5:03
actually Hamilton matched Alonso, so Alonso matches Alonso, exactly what one would expect! :)