Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost has congratulated his driver Daniel Ricciardo after the Australian was confirmed as Mark Webber’s replacement at Red Bull for 2014.
Tost admitted he was sad to lose such a “talented driver” but expressed pleasure in seeing a Toro Rosso driver awarded a promotion to its sister team.
“Congratulations to Daniel, although we would have liked to keep him, because he is a talented driver who has done a great job with Scuderia Toro Rosso,” he said. “At the same time, we are very pleased to see him make this move, which means he will follow in the footsteps of Sebastian Vettel.
“When Dietrich Mateschitz acquired the team that became Toro Rosso, his stated aim was that it should be the final step in the training of young drivers, with the eventual goal of graduating to the “senior” team. Daniel’’ move thus vindicates the work of the Red Bull Young Driver Programme and also proves that we at Toro Rosso have given him a good racing education.
“Daniel already knows his new team, having tested for them a few times and I am sure he will soon feel at home there next year – they won’t even have to change the Australian flag on the side of his car!”
The Italian refused to confirm who would replace Ricciardo at Toro Rosso, but many believe Antonio Felix da Costa is favourite.
“As to who will replace Daniel at Toro Rosso in 2014, we will now look at all our options and make a decision at a later date, as there is no immediate need to rush.”
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