Daniel Ricciardo reckons starting at the bottom and working his way to the top has made him a better driver, and recommends more drivers follow a similar path.

The Australian began his Formula 1 career with backmarker HRT in 2011 when he was drafted in to replace Narain Karthikeyan at the British GP – that, he claims, allowed him to settle in with minimal pressure.

“I think it helps in a lot of ways,” Ricciardo is quoted as saying by Autosport. “It helped me get into F1, settle down with all the nerves, not really in a spotlight, so it eased me into the sport a little bit.

“It also makes you more grateful for what you have,” added the 25-year-old. “When I signed for Toro Rosso I was the happiest man in the world knowing that I could maybe fight for points.

“Signing for Red Bull made me more grateful to get the better things so I am sure we will see it with other drivers coming through [this way].”

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