(Florent Gooden DPPI for Renault Sport F1)
Red Bull Motorsport adviser Dr Helmut Marko believes that with the imminent departure of four time world champion Sebastian Vettel from the Milton Keynes based outfit that his team mate Daniel Ricciardo is ready to step up to lead the team next year.
Red Bull Racing announced in Japan that Sebastian Vettel will be leaving the team at the end of the season and will be replaced by Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat who has been extremely impressive during his debut season with the Italian team.
Daniel Ricciardo made the step up to the Infiniti Red Bull Racing team from Toro Rosso this season replacing Mark Webber who is now driving for Porsche in the World Endurance Championship. The Australian has been one of the stars of the 2014 season taking all of Infiniti Red Bull Racing's three race victories in Canada, Hungary and Spa Francorchamps and outperforming Sebastian Vettel this season.
Ricciardo is currently in third place in the Driver's championship on 199 points while team mate Sebastian Vettel is currently in fifth place on 145 points.
Speaking to the official Formula One website when asked if the team will now work more closely with Ricciardo ahead of the 2015 season, Marko stated:
'We always knew that he can fill anybody's shoes and that all our drivers are always treated equally. The only difference will be between him and Daniil Kvyat next year, he has more experience.'
Ricciardo still has a mathematical chance of winning the championship as he is currently 92 points behind championship leader Nico Rosberg with 172 points available from the final three race's and Dr Marko has stated that despite the fact the team will not impose team order Vettel knows what has to do if the the result is decisive in the title race.
© Ben Johnston 2014
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