Daniel Ricciardo, 24, a driver for Red Bull junior team Toro Rosso, will partner triple world champion Sebastian Vettel next year.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner stated

"He's got all the attributes that are required to drive for our team. He's got a great natural ability, he's a good personality and a great guy to work with.

"Daniel knows what the team expects. He'll learn quickly and it's very much a medium- to long-term view that we're taking in developing him.

"The seat within the team is a wonderful opportunity and I think he's going to be a big star of the future."

Ricciardo added: "Next year I'll be with a championship-winning team, arguably the best team, and will be expected to deliver. I'm ready for that. I'm not here to run around in 10th place, I want to get the best results for myself and the team.

"It will be a great challenge to be up against Sebastian Vettel; I'm looking forward to that.

"My aim is to finish this season as strong as possible, for myself and Scuderia Toro Rosso. Then, once the off-season is here, I'll be fully focused on next year and the next stage of my career."

Ricciardo added: "Next year I'll be with a championship-winning team, arguably the best team, and will be expected to deliver. I'm ready for that. I'm not here to run around in 10th place, I want to get the best results for myself and the team.

"It will be a great challenge to be up against Sebastian Vettel; I'm looking forward to that.

"My aim is to finish this season as strong as possible, for myself and Scuderia Toro Rosso. Then, once the off-season is here, I'll be fully focused on next year and the next stage of my career."