Formula One driver Mark Webber is proud to be passing on the baton from one Australian to another when compatriot Daniel Ricciardo takes over his seat at Red Bull next year.
After weeks of rumours, Red Bull on Monday signed Ricciardo from its junior team Toro Rosso to a multi-year deal.
He will drive alongside defending triple world champion Sebastian Vettel from 2014, replacing Webber who is retiring from F1 at the end of the season to race sportscars for Porsche.
Webber said he was more than happy with the team’s decision.
“It’s very, very rare to have any Australians in Formula One – but to have us, I suppose, handing the baton over in a very, very successful team it’s great,” Webber said on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.
“For Dan, obviously, he thoroughly deserves it.
“The junior categories for him in Europe initially is a great test. (It’s) not easy for us to come from that part of the world, which he’s done brilliantly with.”
Webber said Ricciardo’s elevation through the ranks of Red Bull’s young driver program provided the perfect scenario for the reigning champions.
While the 37-year-old has had a difficult relationship with Vettel over the years, he expects Ricciardo to settle in.
“Daniel will handle it fine. He knows how to handle himself so he’ll be OK,” he said.
“It’s all in his corner. So he can do a tremendous job and yeah, it works out well for him.”
The 24-year-old Ricciardo had been the favourite to fill the Red Bull seat since the Hungarian Grand Prix at the end of July and the decision was expected to be announced at the Belgian event two weeks ago.
However, it was put back amid growing talk that Kimi Raikkonen or even Fernando Alonso would replace Webber.
Ricciardo said he was relieved the rumours had finally been put to bed.
“I think it’s a bit of relief now there’s no more speculation and dodging questions … I found out few days before the announcement but I still didn’t know at Spa, so no lies were told,” Ricciardo said.
“I’ve got eight more races this year so looking forward to giving Toro Rosso a nice farewell.”
Ricciardo has a best result of seventh place this season, in China in April, and four top-10 finishes.
But he will be expected to do much better alongside defending champion Vettel and score big points in a faster car.
“I’m pretty fortunate to have spent some time with Red Bull racing as a reserve driver,” Ricciardo said.
“By December hopefully I’ll already have a good relationship with the guys and see how they work. But I’ve got a head start.”
