FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[Big Azza]

Here is an interesting article I've stumbled across showing how interesting the battle has been between the two drivers in the Toro Rosso camp. It is also interesting that Ricciardo has so far fit my earlier description of being "just another Webber." Just sayin'!

And with Webber having a satisfactory year so far... I'm pretty sure we will see him at Red Bull again next year.

Source: http://www.foxsports.com.au/motor-sports/formula-one/daniel-ricciardo-pegs-back-ground-on-his-teammate-jean-eric-vergne-in-crucial-inter-team-battle/story-e6frf3zl-1226398545785

Daniel Ricciardo's Canadian Grand Prix provides a fitting snapshot of a season so far teetering on the edge of something seriously impressive.

Before the 2012 campaign, plenty were nervous about the prospect of Ricciardo being paired with highly rated Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne. On paper, they both possessed brilliant pedigree in junior formulae, but inside the cut-throat environment of Red Bull-owned Toro Rosso, the hypothetical would never likely amount to much.

The perception of paddock insiders was that while the Australian would likely prove quicker over a single lap, Vergne was the stronger racer. Over the course of the opening seven Formula 1 grands prix, that's proven to be an accurate premonition.

At Montreal, Ricciardo out qualified Vergne for the sixth time. Starting 14th, six places ahead of his teammate; another tentative opening lap had him back in 18th after the first tour. Behind Vergne.

It's interesting to note that Ricciardo himself claimed after the race that his getaway was actually quite strong. In fact despite losing many places over the first seven rounds, rarely has he made a slow jump off the line. It's his assertiveness in traffic that needs work. Almost as if he's conscious of bringing the car home at all times, the West Australian seems a little tentative through the first few corners. His opening laps in Australia, Malaysia, Bahrain, Spain and now Canada certainly illustrate this.

But of course being an ace qualifier and a slow starter is far better than the opposite. A poor qualifier with reckless abandon in the early exchanges will never enjoy a long career at the top. And while Vergne certainly isn't in this mould, his place within the team is in greater jeopardy than Ricciardo's.

Only in Spain has the starting order between them been reversed. Qualifying is an undoubted weakness for Vergne, so far failing to progress beyond the opening stage in Malaysia, China, Bahrain and Canada. The Aussie meanwhile has already shown tremendous Saturday form, by reaching the top-10 twice. The first in Melbourne was a brilliant moment for both himself and the sport in this country, while his sixth in Bahrain qualifying was sublime.



That moment in the desert looked the be the arrival of the 22-year old, but his Achilles heel soon became obvious. The start. Having been compared with Vettel in the wake of his Q3 lap in Sakhir, the pressure was on to bring home some points. But after another tentative opening lap, he was unthinkably already behind Vergne, who'd started 19th.

Up until the end of the Spanish Grand Prix last month, Ricciardo had led his teammate for less than 20 percent of racing laps. This despite only once starting behind the Frenchman. A damning statistic. The Sunday honours again went against him at Monaco, so in Canada he had to put it right.

Here's how he did it:

Ricciardo quickly re-passed Vergne for 17th after surrendering four places on lap one. But when the pair stumbled upon Bruno Senna's Williams, the order was once again reversed. Ricciardo ran a lap longer with both on super-soft tyres in the first stint. His stop was half a second faster than Vergne's, so he rejoined ahead once more. The second stint was crucial, as the Frenchman was unable to look after the harder tyre, while Ricciardo critically ran 14 laps further on the same rubber. As Vergne had to make his second stop much sooner, he'd be forced to run the harder, slower compound until the end. Ricciardo could run the faster option after a much later stop on lap 57. The result was fascinating, because while they finished in 14th and 15th, Ricciardo was still on the lead lap with Vergne 30 seconds behind and a lap down. What makes this even more interesting is that for the opening 42 laps, the pair were line astern.

Ricciardo was even let off the hook by a late spin, which was ultimately cancelled out by Vergne’s drive-through penalty for speeding in the pitlane.

There's no doubt Ricciardo's been disappointed with himself at times this year. To not convert strong qualifying into points would be a huge source of frustration. But the race in Montreal was a strong-enough result, because for the first time in a straight fight with his teammate, he not only showed faster pace, but also emerged on top in this tyre-centric racing formula. This may have been a stabilising moment in his season.

There will be many comparisons made between Ricciardo and Mark Webber, not least because of their tendency to lose places at the start. But on the proof so far, there's no reason to feel Ricciardo's getaways can't improve with the confidence of experience. Webber's poor starts meanwhile are the result of his struggle to grasp the current launch system, but at least on the upside his last two have been fine.

The more important comparison is how well they deal with quick teammates. Webber was unchallenged from inside the garage until paired with Nick Heidfeld at Williams in 2005, after the Aussie had already built a reputation on being a brilliant qualifier. Ricciardo too has supreme ability on Saturdays, though whether Vergne proves to be the contender he was predicted to be is yet undetermined.

We should be confident that on a Sunday in the not too distant future, we'll witness the moment Daniel Ricciardo officially arrived with a flawless weekend, start to finish. The emphasis is on the start.

[Hammer278]

Interesting. Maybe another year for Toro Rosso to kick out both drivers and bring yet another 2 in for 2013. I bet they're looking for strong qualifiers + aggressive with traffic + great race pace...both drivers dont have this combo.

[Big Azza]

I don't think they have anyone charging through the junior ranks like these two/Vettel were.

I think Toro Rosso have to face it - they will not find another Vettel.

[LewEngBridewell]

I have always been impressed by Ricciardo. His form last year in the HRT was stunning. He's one to watch IMHO. I've not seen enough of Vergne to make a substantial comment.

Ironically, Riccardo's efforts were more noticeable last season when he was beating Liuzzi at the back. Toro Rosso have had such a nondescript season so far.

[bud]

I think Toro Rosso have to face it - they will not find another Vettel.

They won't because he was RedBulls...Torro Rosso is there for Redbulls younger drivers.

I think Redbull would like to see these two go more than just one season, especially with these crazy tyres we now have.

[Frontrunner]

Okay its clear that Daniel is better Quali driver but lacks a bit of aggression in race, where as Vergne does struggle in Quali but currently looks to be the better racer, in Monaco Vergne looked good in the race until the team put him on inters otherwise he would of had a great result. But its probably easier for Daniel to work on his race craft issues than Vergne's 1 lap pace issues, Its a bit harder to find a couple of tenths here and there when you need them most in Quali.So I rather have Daniel's problems than Jean-Eric's.

Come on Daniel, you got pace, just find some aggression and consistency

[scotty]

Vergne should have finished a solid 7th at Monaco but for a bizarre team decision, and Ricciardo qualified amazingly well in Bahrain. So a high point for each driver. But for me, given the nature of this season, you couldn't really say 'this driver is definitely doing better' or 'Toro Rosso should sack this guy' or whatever. I think they have both shown promise and should be allowed to build on it - they're still really young FFS!