Done Deal: Daniel Ricciardo Confirmed As Vettel's New Team-Mate
Daniel Ricciardo has been confirmed as Infiniti Red Bull Racing's second driver for the 2014 season.
The big reveal was made live on Austrian TV station Servus TV. Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko was a guest on the show, with Ricciardo being announced as Sebastian Vettel's team-mate shortly after.
The Australian will replace countryman Mark Webber at the Milton Keynes based squad. It didn't come as much of a surprise with plenty of clues and hints emerging over the past few weeks.
Webber let slip in the Belgian Grand Prix paddock that the deal was already done, while Ricciardo confirmed that he had visited the Red Bull Racing factory late last week for a seat fitting.
Speaking of the announcement, Ricciardo said: "I feel very, very good at the moment and obviously there’s a lot of excitement running through me. 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. I’m not here to run around in tenth place, I want to get the best results for myself and the team. I would like to thank the team for giving me the opportunity to show what I can do."
The 24-year-old signed to the Red Bull Junior Team in 2008, with Red Bull supporting him through his feeder series career. After finding success in Formula Renault 3.5, he was promoted to a race seat at back-markers HRT mid-way through the 2011 season before signing for Toro Rosso for 2012.
With the most talked about drive of the season now filled, attention will turn to who will replace him at Toro Rosso for 2014.
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