Autosportfoto

Ricciardo delighted to see Hartley get long-awaited F1 shot

Daniel Ricciardo delighted to see fellow Antipodean get his long-awaited chance in F1, saying he "100 per cent deserves this".

Daniel Ricciardo is delighted to see fellow Antipodean Brendon Hartley finally getting a shot in Formula 1 when he makes his debut with Toro Rosso shot at this weekend's United states Grand Prix, having been close to the Porsche factory driver during their formative years in Red Bull's young driver programme.

New Zealander Hartley and Australian Ricciardo were at similar stages in Red Bull's junior setup before the former's departure in 2010, ultimately leading to him moving into sports cars and finding success with Porsche.

Ricciardo made his F1 debut in 2011 and ultimately joined Red Bull's senior F1 team, winning five races during his time with the team.

Despite their varying paths, Ricciardo still has very fond memories of Hartley, and is looking forward to racing with him once again this weekend.

"His time away from racing, he would play guitar a bit. He was playing and I was singing and we were just mucking around after a race in the truck," Ricciardo said.

"He actually smashed one of the lights in the truck. We were rocking a little too hard.

"Looking back, we were just idiots but we got some good memories. He also doesn't come from much, a real simple family in a small part of New Zealand. So, for him as for the country it is huge.

"There are a whole lot of reasons why I am happy for him and for the sport and everything. It also gives some of the older guys as well a bit of hope and he is a good example for anyone.

"He could easily have gone home to New Zealand after he got dropped, said it is done, I tried, it didn't work.

"But he has just grinded, and his work ethic has been really impressive. He has made it happen.

"So I really believe he 100 percent deserves this opportunity and now it is up to him to take it to the next level."

Zdroj: crash.net