Since making his Formula One debut for HRT at Silverstone in 2011, Daniel Ricciardo has become one of the sport's most recognisable and likeable faces. His infectious smile has been ever-present through the highs and lows, and many experts believe he's a potential future world champion.

As Ricciardo gears up for his 100th Formula One start this weekend at the German Grand Prix, ESPN looks back at the Australian's top five races from his career so far.

5 - 2015 Singapore Grand Prix

"Awesome weekend! Started off strong and finished stronger. Seb was quick and I think we both had fun exchanging fastest laps." - Daniel Ricciardo.

Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel share a moment after the 2015 Singapore Grand Prix. Photo by Peter J Fox/Getty Images

Only twice has Ricciardo finished a race in second place and no doubt his runner-up trophy was much more welcomed in Singapore last year than earlier this season in Monaco.

It was a dominant display by Ricciardo all weekend, who finished every practice session in the top four before qualifying a surprise second on the grid alongside Sebastian Vettel.

With the Mercedes pairing of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg struggling for pace and ultimately settling for fifth and sixth respectively, both Ricciardo and Vettel could sniff a win and treated fans to a great scrap throughout.

Track position proved vital and in the end Vettel's Ferrari managed to hold off Ricciardo, but what was most pleasing for the Australian was his gap to the field. Third placed Kimi Raikkonen trailed by 16 seconds, while teammate Daniil Kvyat finished over half a minute behind.

Throw in the fastest lap of the grand prix and you've got all the makings of a memorable weekend.

4 - 2014 Australian Grand Prix

"I really feel for Daniel, who drove a great race in his first race for his new team, in front of his home crowd." - Jenson Button.

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It may have ultimately ended in disaster, but Ricciardo's performance at his home race -- in his first outing with senior team Red Bull -- was one to be savoured.

Ricciardo thrived in the rain-soaked qualifying session to snatch second on the grid, some 10 places higher than four-time world champion and new teammate Vettel.

When Sunday rolled around there was a real sense that he could become the first Australian to ever stand on the podium at Albert Park and he duly delivered.

His barnstorming drive to hold onto second place despite the pursuit of the McLarens delighted the home fans, before sensationally being disqualified and stripped of his points and podium for a fuel flow breach.

While the 18 points have long been removed from his name, the jubilant podium celebrations that followed his stunning drive will live with him forever.

3 -2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

"It was an unbelievable drive from Daniel. He was quick throughout with some great overtaking moves. It was a drive that epitomised his season." - Christian Horner.

Daniel Ricciardo storms home to finish fourth at the 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after starting in the pitlane. Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images

After Red Bull was excluded from qualifying for failing to comply with front wing regulations, both Ricciardo and Vettel were forced to start the 2014 season finale from the pitlane. Adding to Ricciardo's woes was the fact the German started ahead of him due to a superior practice time.

As the grid formed and race start neared, it seemed his stellar 2014 was set to conclude in disappointment as even a points finish from the back of the grid would be a challenge.

What followed wasn't part of the script.

Ricciardo drove a faultless race -- nailing the fastest lap in the process -- which saw him climb 16 places to finish fourth and only eight seconds off what would have been one of the most remarkable podiums in Formula One history.

So impressed was Red Bull team principal Christian Horner after the race that he joked about starting in the pits every race.

2 - 2016 Chinese Grand Prix

"I could feel the car start to wobble and I looked in the rear and could see the tyre was gone. But, the second part of the race was one of the best races of my life." - Daniel Ricciardo.

Daniel Ricciardo leads Nico Rosberg on the opening lap of the 2016 Chinese Grand Prix. Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Immediately after stepping out of the cockpit of the RB12, Ricciardo hailed his gritty Shanghai drive -- despite not finishing on the podium -- as one of his finest.

A lightning start from second on the grid saw him snatch the lead of the race from polesitter Nico Rosberg. He was then able to hold the Mercedes at bay in the opening laps despite a clear pace differential that favoured the German.

But luck abandoned him on lap three when his rear tyre exploded on the back straight, sending rubber confetti into the sky and Ricciardo plummeting from the lead to 17th in the blink of an eye.

The next 53 laps was a driving masterclass as he fought his way back through the field, pulling off more overtakes than any other driver in the process. His sensational pass on Hamilton and Massa in the dying stages earned a hard-fought fourth place finish and even more recognition that he had arrived as a world class driver.

1 - 2014 Canadian Grand Prix

"I'm still in shock. This is ridiculous. The race really came to life the last 15, 20 laps. We saw Hamilton had a problem and then Rosberg was slow on the straights." - Daniel Ricciardo.

Daniel Ricciardo celebrates his maiden win in Formula One at the 2014 Canadian Grand Prix. .

Ricciardo's maiden win in Formula One was as unexpected as it was memorable.

The first six races of 2014 had proved to the world that Ricciardo was the right man to take over from compatriot Mark Webber at Red Bull -- the only thing missing had been a race win.

Ricciardo would line up sixth in Montreal but a win seemed almost out of the question with Mercedes locking out the front row.

By the mid-point of the race the silver arrows had built up a lead of 20 seconds over the chasing field, before an MGU-K failure struck which resulted in compromised speed. While the issue forced Hamilton to retire, Rosberg managed to nurse his car home.

Having passed both Williams, Ricciardo -- as he so often did in 2014 -- sensed a win was on the cards and pulled off a stunning move into turn one on Sergio Perez five laps from home to take second place.

He then set out on hunting down the race leader and on the penultimate lap swept by Rosberg and into the lead on the back straight to join Jack Brabham, Alan Jones and Mark Webber as an Australian Formula One race winner.