Ricciardo is sure he can fight with Vettel

Daniel Ricciardo he never showed too much emotion about a possible move to Red Bull next year, always remaining with his feet on the ground, but he declared that if he were to move to the Milton Keynes team he would feel capable of fighting with Sebastian Vettel.

The Australian driver is still the favorite to replace Mark Webber next year, but the Red Bull underlined in Belgium that no contract had been signed. Webber announced his retirement to Silverstone in June and since then Ricciardo has been at the center of numerous speculations, in the meantime the driver is at Toro Rosso where he is trying to prove his worth.

“Until there are certainties I won't be excited. And if it doesn't happen I won't kill myself,” Ricciardo told the Daily Telegraph.

In any case, the Australian believes he is capable of fighting Vettel.

“I'm definitely sure that if I get the opportunity to race alongside Sebastian, it won't be easy. But I would like to prove to everyone that I have what it takes and more to be at Red Bull, and also to prove to myself that I am worthy of a great team. If I'm not, well, at least I can say I tried. But I think I'm capable of it" declared Ricciardo.

Webber managed to fight on equal terms with Vettel only once, in 2010 when the two fought for the world title, however at the time the Australian complained not too subtly about not being treated like his boxing partner. However, Ricciardo is not worried about the way Red Bull manages its drivers.

“I only know what everyone knows, namely the episode in Malaysia this year and the one at Silverstone a few years ago. But it's not something I'm worried about. From what I hear the team is very interested in equal treatment."

Stefano Rifici