Daniel Ricciardo to replace Mark Webber at Red Bull
Last Updated: Tuesday, September 03, 2013, 09:30
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said the 24-year-old, who will partner Germany`s triple champion Sebastian Vettel under a multi-year agreement, was "going to be a big star of the future".
The decision ended speculation about Lotus`s 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen moving to the team, as well as wilder talk that Ferrari`s Fernando Alonso could be in line for a switch.
The focus will now be on Felipe Massa at Ferrari, and whether the Brazilian can keep his seat, and Raikkonen`s future with Lotus keen to retain him.
"It`s fantastic to confirm Daniel as the team`s race driver for 2014. He`s a very talented youngster, he`s committed, he`s got a great attitude and in the end it was a very logical choice for us to choose Daniel," Horner said in a statement.
"He`s got all the attributes that are required to drive for our team: he`s got a great natural ability, he`s a good personality and a great guy to work with. Daniel knows what the team expects from him."
Ricciardo, who was Red Bull reserve in 2010, is currently with Red Bull`s sister team Toro Rosso and is 14th in the championship after 11 races with 12 points.
The seat became available after 37-year-old Webber announced in June that he would be leaving Formula One to race for Porsche in their Le Mans sportscar programme.
Webber had already told reporters at last month`s Belgian Grand Prix that Ricciardo had got the job, although Horner denied a decision had been made, and confirmation came as no real surprise.
Horner said Red Bull, who have won the last three drivers` and constructors` titles and are on course to win both again this season, were taking a "medium to long-term view" in Ricciardo`s development.
Good Time
The Perth-born Australian, the driver with the biggest smile in the paddock even without Monday`s announcement, made his excitement evident.
"Since joining F1 in 2011, I hoped this would happen and over time the belief in me has grown; I had some good results and Red Bull has decided that this is it, so it`s a good time," he said.
"Next year I`ll be with a championship-winning team, arguably the best team, and will be expected to deliver. I`m ready for that," added the driver, who has recently moved to Monaco from Milton Keynes in England where Red Bull are based.
"It will be a great challenge to be up against Sebastian Vettel, I`m looking forward to that."
Red Bull had narrowed the choice down to Raikkonen and Ricciardo but they triggered speculation by delaying any announcement even after the Finn`s manager had said his driver would not be racing for Red Bull.
Horner told reporters in Spa that the team wanted time because Webber`s were big shoes to fill and some other surprising candidates had emerged.
Adrian Newey, Red Bull`s chief technical officer, said they could have gone for a more experienced driver but concluded it was better to take on a younger man and develop him.
"From Red Bull`s point of view that also fits well because the driver that Christian and I feel is the most promising is part of the Red Bull young driver programme," he added.
"The decision actually reminded me a little bit of a similar situation we had when I was at Williams. Nigel Mansell was leaving and we needed someone alongside Alain Prost.
"We could stick with Riccardo Patrese or take a punt on a young driver called Damon Hill who was our test driver at the time. I think it`s good to bring young blood in and give promising drivers a chance."
Reuters ------------------------- ZEENEWS.com
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