Former F1 driver Mark Webber has tipped compatriot Daniel Ricciardo to challenge for the world championship in 2017 and believes Mercedes will suffer from the loss of Nico Rosberg.
Red Bull, who overcame Ferrari to emerge as Mercedes’ closest rivals in 2016, are expected to present a renewed threat to the Silver Arrows this year as the emphasis switches from engine power to aerodynamic prowess, an area in which the Bulls have been notoriously strong.
Webber believes that the “world class” Ricciardo, who won in Malaysia last year after being cruelly denied a stunning victory in Monaco, can take the fight to a weakened Mercedes.
“Daniel was probably the most consistent driver in the field [last season] and he’s absolutely world class, in that top three drivers,” the nine-time Grand Prix winner told Australian newspaper The Age.
“He’s in a position to go again and certainly vie for the championship if Red Bull can get the car together because Nico is virtually impossible to replace in the short term at Mercedes.
“Nico and Lewis drove each other to be better, but now [Mercedes] won’t have that all-star line-up. Lewis is brilliant and absolutely ruthless, but this will shake up the Formula 1 market.”
Ricciardo himself is confident Red Bull will deliver a car capable of dethroning Mercedes and feels he is ready for a title duel.
“I have faith that – again, all the ingredients need to be there the equipment and what not – but if we are even a sniff of it then I think we can definitely make it happen next year,” he said. “You need everything to sort of fall into place, but I personally feel ready, definitely hungry enough that’s for sure.”
Triple world champion Hamilton and the fiery Max Verstappen, voted driver of the season for 2016 by the Read Motorsport writers, will stand in the Aussie’s way in what is shaping up to be a sensational battle for the ultimate prize.
