MOTORSPORT: Webber on Benz dominance aiding Ricciardo

Aussie grand prix hero Mark Webber believes the dominance of Mercedes-Benz in Formula One is aiding Daniel Ricciardo in his intra-team battle with Red Bull teammate Sebastien Vettel.

Webber is intimately aware of the challenge Vettel poses for Ricciardo after spending the last five years of his 14-year career as the German’s teammate. In that time their relationship became more and more fractious.

But Ricciardo has consistently bested the four-time and defending world champion in the opening rounds of the 2014 F1 championship in the new turbocharged V6 racers, culminating in his win at the Canadian Grand Prix two weekends ago.

The 24-year old from Perth was the first non-Benz winner of a GP in 2014, with Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton claiming all prior rounds in their Silver Arrows.

“For Seb and [Ferrari’s] Fernando [Alonso] and these guys it can’t be great turning up and knowing they can only get third – generally,” Webber said during the lead-up to the Le Mans 24-hour.

“It’s a different mentality for these guys like Daniel. It is all great at the moment.”

Ricciardo only took the lead in Canada two laps from home after both Benz’s slowed with issues.

“It was very important he was there to take advantage of the Mercs having a bad day and he was there, and he did a good job,” Webber said.

“He hasn’t put a foot wrong,” he added. “In Melbourne wet qualifying, Malaysia, all the tricky little sessions he hasn’t put a foot wrong. People laughed at me when I said qually would be minimum 50-50 [between Vettel and Ricciardo] and he’s done a great job.”

However, Webber stopped short of saying Ricciardo had proved he was even more talented than Vettel.

“In this first few months he has done well, but Seb has had a rough run,” he cautioned. “I think you measure them over the course of a few years and you see how they go. The season has been underway for five minutes in reality, but Daniel can’t have done much more.”

Webber said that Ricciardo, who has already won a strong following with his big grin and endless positivity, was one of a number of new young drivers who have provided a “breath of fresh air” for Formula One.

“Some of these young guys coming in have the talent and deserve the seats because the older guys who have made their name aren’t going to be there forever.

“We have a generation gap of guys who have paid their way in. Daniel wasn’t one of those and it’s great that he’s getting the results.”

Webber said Ricciardo’s win provided both relief and pleasure for him.

“It’s good we didn’t have to wait another 20 years for an Aussie to win a race. There was a very happy guy in England when I saw him cross the line and the national anthem [played]. Bloody great.”

One thing Ricciardo’s performances haven’t done has prompted any regrets in Webber that he has departed F1 and missed driving the torquey new car which might have suited his style.

“It would have been interesting, but I don’t miss it,” Webber said. “How long is a piece of string... you could hang around forever.”

Pictured: Ricciardo in Canadian GP