Daniel Ricciardo manages Formula One rise with no bull

DANIEL Ricciardo’s relationship with Sebastian Vettel is as cordial as can be expected given he’s kicking the backside of his Red Bull Racing teammate.

SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 18: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Infiniti Red Bull Racing smiles as he speaks with members of the media during previews ahead of the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 18, 2014 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

DANIEL Ricciardo’s relationship with Sebastian Vettel is as cordial as can be expected given he’s kicking the backside of his Red Bull Racing teammate in Formula One this year.

Ricciardo, the 25-year-old West Australian, was expected to play second fiddle to Vettel, the four-times defending world champion, when he replaced countryman Mark Webber at Red Bull this season.

Vettel never saw eye to eye with Webber, to put it mildly, but animosity is non-existent with Ricciardo despite Red Bull’s top dog being upstaged. Ricciardo has won three Grands Prix to be third on the world standings while Vettel is winless and languishing in fifth.

“Seb and I are acting the same towards each other as we were back in January and February,” Ricciardo said at the Marina Bay Street Circuit during a break in preparations for Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix.

“I can’t say he’s changed after I’ve gotten the better of him so far. He hasn’t held any of that against me. He’s still been very respectful. Every victory I’ve had, he’s come up and said well done. If he hasn’t been there, if he’s had to shoot off somewhere, he’s sent me a message and said well done. I respect him for that. As far as teammates go, it can’t really get too much better.”

The Mercedes-Benz duo of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are no longer on speaking terms. Team boss Toto Wolff said they were “like enemies” before claiming all F1 teams had tension between their drivers. Vettel admitted he was stung by his barren run of results but the 27 year-old German had nothing but praise for Ricciardo.

“He’s achieved an awful lot this year,” Vettel said. “He’s getting a lot of attention because he’s doing a good job. It’s only fair he gets the recognition. Obviously he’s been giving me a hard time but I didn’t expect any less, to be honest. My season hasn’t gone as I planned or as I hoped, for many reasons. But Daniel has done well and hopefully that puts him in a better position to negotiate his next contract. He can use any boost he can get.”

The Marina Bay Street Circuit is demanding. Twenty-three tight corners make it favourable to Red Bull’s cars. Both Vettel and Ricciardo rated the Singapore Grand Prix the toughest on the F1 calendar. Asked his prediction for the race, Ricciardo replied: “Podium.” If he’s standing on top of it on Sunday night, game on for the world title this year.