Daniel Ricciardo has proved his doubters wrong – even those who wear a Red Bull uniform, according to Helmut Marko, the force behind the energy drink company’s driver development programme that produced world champion Sebastian Vettel.

But the programme, described by some as brutal, has also discarded its fair share of talents, including Jaime Alguersuari who was dropped at just the age of 21.

The latest Formula 1 graduates, however, are faring well so far in 2014, including the Russian teen Daniil Kvyat at Toro Rosso, and Vettel’s new teammate at the senior team, Australian Ricciardo.

“We were absolutely right to take him (Ricciardo),” Austrian Marko told Auto Bild, referring to suggestions the top team should have signed someone like Kimi Raikkon

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