"2014 has exceded all expectations” – Daniel Ricciardo

In an exclusive interview with Formula1.com, Red Bull Racing’s Daniel Ricciardo was asked what he thinks about his debut season for the reigning Constructor World Champions. The Red Bull protégé described his 2014 campaign as to have “exceeded all expectations”, and is highly enjoying “every bit of it”.

The Australian, who by the course of two seasons have moved from the young drivers development team Scuderia Toro Rosso to be the lead driver of Red Bull Racing next season and onwards, is the only non-Mercedes driver to win a race so far this season. With 3 wins and 4 further podiums, Ricciardo is the only one who mathematically stands a chance for the Drivers title, if the double points in Abu Dhabi should prove to provide a twist or two to the Championship.

When asked about what he thinks of next season, when he’ll be driving alongside fellow Toro Rosso step-up Daniil Kvyat, Ricciardo stated the following:
“On paper I’m the number one driver, but I have to prove it again on track. Obviously I have gained a bit more experience this year and Daniil is coming into a new team, but I shouldn’t take anything for granted. True, people are expecting me to be the top guy in the team, but I still want to prove that on the track and finish in front of my new teammate.”

The Milton Keyes based squad was expected to struggle in major parts of the 2014 season, after suffering power failures and getting the least amount of running in pre-season testing, much due to the Renault power-train lacking power. However, they are still running 2nd in the Constructors Championship, seemingly rid of the most obvious of the early season troubles.

Daniel Ricciardo is currently 3rd in the Drivers standings with 193 points, 73 points shy of current title leader Lewis Hamilton.