Daniel Ricciardo reckons starting at the bottom and working his way to the top has made him a better driver, and recommends more drivers follow a similar path.
The Australian began his Formula 1 career with backmarker HRT in 2011 when he was drafted in to replace Narain Karthikeyan at the British GP – that, he claims, allowed him to settle in with minimal pressure.
“I think it helps in a lot of ways,” Ricciardo is quoted as saying by Autosport. “It helped me get into F1, settle down with all the nerves, not really in a spotlight, so it eased me into the sport a little bit.
“It also makes you more grateful for what you have,” added the 25-year-old. “When I signed for Toro Rosso I was the happiest man in the world knowing that I could maybe fight for points.
“Signing for Red Bull made me more grateful to get the better things so I am sure we will see it with other drivers coming through [this way].”
Red Bull backed Renault 3.5 championship contender Carlos Sainz Jr has been in talks with Caterham in the hope of following Ricciardo’s path to Toro Rosso and then Red Bull. Ricciardo doesn’t reckon it can do any harm if the talent exists.
“Jules [Bianchi] is obviously doing really well at Marussia, there is talk [about Sainz].
“It didn’t harm me. As a driver you want to be in the best team as soon as possible, but it definitely helped me learn in the right way.”
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