Mark Webber believes Australia’s new formula one star Daniel Ricciardo will inspire his world champion teammate Sebastian Vettel to retaliate soon.

Ricciardo, who replaced Webber at title-winning Red Bull Racing, has outperformed Vettel in the first seven races, culminating in his first F1 victory at last week’s Canadian Grand Prix.

Mark Webber talks to the media at Le Mans. Credit:AFP

Webber is convinced the ever-smiling West Australian’s early advantage and success will only motivate Vettel – winner of the last four world championships.

“Seb’s a competitive guy and he won’t like getting beaten,” Webber told Fairfax Media ahead of his return to the Le Mans 24 Hours with Porsche. “He was ahead of Daniel when he retired in Monaco GP and he was ahead in Canada until he got caught in traffic, and Daniel got the undercut [leap-frogged him in a pit stop] and did the job.