Ricciardo surprised at 2014 success

Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo has said that even he was surprised at how successful his 2014 season was.

The Australian was the only non-Mercedes driver to win a race, with his three successes coming in Canada, Hungary and Belgium.

Ricciardo finished third in the drivers’ championship and handsomely beat Sebastian Vettel, his more illustrious team-mate.

Speaking at the FIA Prize-Giving Gala, Ricciardo said: “I think this year was a big step forward in my career, a big step in the direction I wanted to go in. Obviously the Mercedes were dominant, but I was able to score the only other three wins of the season, so that was a big year for me.

Daniel Ricciardo

“Deep down I always believed that I could do it and that if I had the equipment and the opportunity I could do it- but looking back on it, looking at Mercedes domination and for me to be the only driver that broke that, that surprised me a little bit.

“I won’t settle for anything else now. Once you make one step you want to keep making more. I’m sure Mercedes are going to be very quick again next year, but the gap’s there for us to close. Hopefully we can do that.”

The 2015 season starts in Australia in March.

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