Daniel Ricciardo replaces fellow countryman Mark Webber as the Red Bull Racing team’s new F1 driver. Ricciardo drove in Formula One for the Scuderia Toro Rosso team in 2012 and 2013.

Daniel Ricciardo

“The season ahead is going to be very challenging but very exciting. It’s something I’ve been looking forward to for a few months now – my whole life in a way as well. It’s another big step in my career. With all the rule changes, it’s exploring new ground. So it’s challenging for everyone, but I’m sure we’re all ready and excited.”

"I think it’s a good time to change teams what with all the changes happening in F1 in 2014. I think it’s going to level things out and give me the best chance possible to shine – I hope! I’m really excited to be alongside Sebastian this year; he’s achieved so much in so little time as well. To be a four-time world champion is an amazing thing, and I have a lot of respect for that and a lot of respect for him. I’m hoping to learn as much as I can and hopefully challenge him of course.”

Red Bull Design Chief Adrian Newey

“I think Daniel, through the junior formula and at Scuderia Toro Rosso, has shown a good pace. He’s a naturally fast driver. Obviously now it’s a matter of the team and driver getting to know each other and to work together to see how his feedback is. Hopefully it will complement Seb’s as Mark did in the previous seasons. It’s a slight journey into the unknown. Although he’s been a member of the Red Bull family for seven years, he’s been in a different team, so we don’t know him that well. Hopefully it will be good, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Team Principal Christian Horner

“It’s fantastic to confirm Daniel as the team’s race driver for 2014. He’s a very talented youngster. He’s committed. He’s got a great attitude, and in the end, it was a very logical choice for us to choose Daniel. He joined the Red Bull Junior Team in 2008, and we’ve seen in his junior career in Formula 3 and the Renault World Series that he’s capable of winning races and championships. Daniel is going to be on a steep learning curve, and he’s going to be rated against Sebastian, which will be tough. However, he’s approaching it with just the right attitude. He’s looking to learn and benefit from how Sebastian operates, and fundamentally Daniel is very fast. I think he could throw up some surprise results this year. I think he has the real potential to be a star of the future.”