Ricciardo happy to have gone up against Vettel

2014 Japanese Grand Prix

Posted on

| Written by

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.”

2014 F1 season

Browse all 2014 F1 season articles

Image © Red Bull/Getty

Author information

Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

Got a potential story, tip or enquiry? Find out more about RaceFans and contact us here.

12 comments on “Ricciardo happy to have gone up against Vettel”

  1. Formula-I (@)
    4th October 2014, 8:59

    Well, one day he will be a champion

  2. Obviously Danny’s now the new kid on the block, I’m not

    Actually, Danny is the senior as well, Danny!

    1. They will always only be my second favourite Dan and Dan… https://youtu.be/_RAB96S7BAw

  3. Of course it’s been good for his career! He’s gone and beaten a 4-time WDC!!

  4. If Dan beats Seb.
    And Danny beats Dan.
    Does that mean Danny can beat Seb?

    1. If Jev beat Danny and Dan so he can beat Seb

      1. Mark beat Nico, but Nico (will) beat Lewis, but Seb beat Mark and Danny Ric beat Seb.

        1. Formula-I (@)
          5th October 2014, 0:42

          but Lewis beat Mark. The illustration is Rock-paper-scissors

    2. My head hurts.

    3. 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?

      1. Lol, love it :) Succinctly illustrating the futility of the “he beats him therefore…” arguments.

      2. actually Hamilton matched Alonso, so Alonso matches Alonso, exactly what one would expect! :)

Comments are closed.