Ricciardo: ‘I believe I can be champion’

Daniel Ricciardo has thrown down a challenge to Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, by declaring that he is ready to win the world championship this year.

The Red Bull driver won three races in an impressive first season at his new team, and he believes that work over the winter months will see the gap to Mercedes close.

He told Sky Sports: “I felt they got a lot out of their package last year and their scope for improvement is smaller than ours. We can make a big step.

“I know they can go quicker but it will probably be a smaller step than ours.

"I believe I can do it. With my prediction that we are going to close the gap, we should definitely be in the hunt and I’m confident l can pull it off if l get the chance."

Ricciardo is joined at Red Bull by Daniil Kvyat this year, making the Australian the team’s number one driver. However, he isn’t taking that role for granted.

“I’ve been asked a few times how I feel to be the number one driver, but at the end of the day it’s the results which count and if Danny comes out and starts to win races he will be the new number one," he said.

"I expect him to be quick. I feel like I’m young but he’s from an even younger generation and l expect him to bring a lot of things to the table – even with a lot less experience than Sebastian had. It's a new dimension and I’m looking forward to a lot of good battles.”

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