Toro Rosso driver Daniel Ricciardo has said that if he is confirmed as Red Bull Racing's second driver for the 2014 season, he can take the fight to Sebastian Vettel.
Although there is no confirmation just yet, it is the talk of the paddock. The popular Aussie is thought to be the leading contender to replace countryman Mark Webber at the Milton Keynes based squad.
Many in the paddock believe that the deal is already done, with Webber also letting slip over the Belgian Grand Prix weekend that the decision would be "good for Australia."
Ricciardo recently confirmed rumours that he couldn't actually fit in the Red Bull car when he visited the factory for a seat fit.
"It's my hips," he told the Daily Telegraph, with a laugh. "I've got wide hips. It's not my arse per se. I guess it's genetic. Even when I signed for Toro Rosso we had to do a few seat fits and they did some scans to make that particular part of the cockpit a bit wider, so that we're not sitting on the actual carbon fibre.
However the confirmation gives yet another hint that Ricciardo will be at Red Bull next season. He added: "But yeah, I've heard that Adrian does like to build small race cars. I can't do much about it. Even if I go on a massive diet my hip bones aren't going to change."
But he was quick to admit that it doesn't matter at this stage because nothing is confirmed: "Until something is done I'm not getting too excited. Then if it doesn't happen I won't kill myself."
Ricciardo has shown flashes of speed over the 42 race starts that he has contested so far, but what has lacked is consistency. He admitted earlier in the season that this is something he needs to work on, as he has scored on just four occasions so far this year.
But he has confidence in himself and feels that if he gets the opportunity, he could take the challenge to Vettel or at least see if he can mix it with the world champions.
He said: "I am definitely aware that if I do get the opportunity to race alongside [Vettel], it is not going to be easy.
"But I would love to get the opportunity to prove to everyone that I have what it takes - and more than that, to know for myself that I can mix it with the big guys. If I can't, well, at least I can say I tried. But I believe I can."
 |
| (c) Octane Photographic |
Many in the paddock believe that the deal is already done, with Webber also letting slip over the Belgian Grand Prix weekend that the decision would be "good for Australia."
Ricciardo recently confirmed rumours that he couldn't actually fit in the Red Bull car when he visited the factory for a seat fit.
"It's my hips," he told the Daily Telegraph, with a laugh. "I've got wide hips. It's not my arse per se. I guess it's genetic. Even when I signed for Toro Rosso we had to do a few seat fits and they did some scans to make that particular part of the cockpit a bit wider, so that we're not sitting on the actual carbon fibre.
However the confirmation gives yet another hint that Ricciardo will be at Red Bull next season. He added: "But yeah, I've heard that Adrian does like to build small race cars. I can't do much about it. Even if I go on a massive diet my hip bones aren't going to change."
But he was quick to admit that it doesn't matter at this stage because nothing is confirmed: "Until something is done I'm not getting too excited. Then if it doesn't happen I won't kill myself."
Ricciardo has shown flashes of speed over the 42 race starts that he has contested so far, but what has lacked is consistency. He admitted earlier in the season that this is something he needs to work on, as he has scored on just four occasions so far this year.
But he has confidence in himself and feels that if he gets the opportunity, he could take the challenge to Vettel or at least see if he can mix it with the world champions.
He said: "I am definitely aware that if I do get the opportunity to race alongside [Vettel], it is not going to be easy.
"But I would love to get the opportunity to prove to everyone that I have what it takes - and more than that, to know for myself that I can mix it with the big guys. If I can't, well, at least I can say I tried. But I believe I can."
No comments:
Post a Comment