Despite a disappointing sixteenth place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Toro Rosso driver Daniel Ricciardo has risen to the top of the ‘most likely to replace Mark Webber in 2014’ list.
Speculation has previously suggested Kimi Raikkonen could be the man to replace Webber should he depart the team at the end of this year. However, Ricciardo’s rise up the ranks follows an interview with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko by the APA news agency. “Many drivers want to drive for Red Bull, and we have two very good juniors [at Toro Rosso],” Marko said. “I’m not worried that we will have something other than two top drivers in the end.”
Marko then added that our Daniel is currently the chosen one from the current Toro Rosso pairing. “Ricciardo is currently the better one. Vergne is too impetuous, asking too much of these sensitive tyres in qualifying,” added Dr Helmut.
Marko also poured cold water on the suggestion that the Webber-Vettel relationship is untenable. “They work constructively together, and that’s enough,” he said. “As long as it stays that way, we don’t have to worry. They’ve never been great friends, but they have a working relationship that still works.”
Meanwhile Ricciardo knows he has to add to his career-best seventh place finish in China if he’s to get the Red Bull chocolates. “I know that I need to do more if I want to have a good chance of getting the place at Red Bull,” the 23-year-old Australian said. “I have to show that it wasn’t just a flash in the pan.”
“I see it as an incentive, not a burden. My goal is to get the promotion, and I know that a lot is expected of me. It’s up to me to get the results.”
[Source: Motorsport.com | Pic: Toro Rosso/Getty Images]
One reply on “Ricciardo latest in line for Red Bull hot seat”
Would be good if true even if it means I have to change my name lol.