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F1
Daniel Ricciardo: Toro Rosso to Red Bull Racing
Daniel Ricciardo looks at his path to F1's top team, Red Bull Racing.
Written by Matt Youson
3 min readPublished on
Daniel Ricciardo gets ready at Galle Fort during the Red Bull Show Run in Galle, Sri Lanka on December 13th, 2013
Daniel Ricciardo ready for a new challenge© Chee Boon Pin/Red Bull Content Pool
RedBull.com Have the last few months with Red Bull Racing been very different to what you’re accustomed to? Daniel Ricciardo: So far, the stuff I’ve done has been pretty standard – but without a car to drive or a race to attend that’s been things like pre-season filming and photoshoots and modelling the new clothing! Essentially all the bits and pieces that I’ve done is very similar to what I’d have done with Toro Rosso, so things haven’t changed. I think as soon as we get the cars out on track, that’s when it’s going to change.
RB: What’s the plan in the garage? Are you simply going to inherit Mark’s crew and engineers? DR: I believe that’s the plan. I’ll inherit Simon Rennie as my race engineer. I like the idea: he’s young and hungry, much like myself!
3 minRicciardo at Red BullDaniel Ricciardo will drive for Infiniti Red Bull Racing next year.
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RB: Everyone’s intrigued by seeing how you stack up against Sebastian Vettel. Are you privately making predictions or do you have to wait until you’ve both had a run in the same car? DR: Very much the latter. We’ve done some tests but not on the same track under the same conditions like for like. Until I know what I’m capable of against him, I’m going to stay a bit reserved. Right now I have confidence I can mix it with him but until I do then I’m just going to keep calm.
I’m at Red Bull now because I’ve done what I needed to do.
RB: Occasionally rookies drop straight into top teams – you’ve worked your way through the ranks. Is that to your advantage? DR: I think it helps. It’s helped me learn how to drive, not always having a fast car. It taught me a bit more. I’ve always worked hard but HRT in particular it taught me a bit more about hard work. With Toro Rosso, I’ve learned how to handle situations you might not face as much with a top team. I don’t particularly care what’s written about me but at least I don’t get saddled with the tag of being a driver who’s had it all on a plate. I’ve worked my way up: I earned it at the back and in the middle and I’m at Red Bull now because I’ve done what I needed to do. That’s also nice.
RB: Have you left Faenza with Toro Rosso in good shape? DR: Yes. As a group we worked better and better as the season as gone on. I think we’ve made progress this year. It isn’t always obvious from the results – and that’s a bit frustrating – but the work that’s been done stands everyone in good stead for the 2014 season.
Scuderia Toro Rossoreveal the STR9 tomorrow evening and Red Bull Racing are launching the RB10 on Tuesday morning.
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