Red Bull motor sport boss Dr Helmut Marko admits that he’s been surprised by the impressive form of Daniel Ricciardo thus far in 2014.

Marko says he hadn’t expected the Australia to adapt so well to life at RBR.

“We’re really happy and satisfied with what he’s delivering,” Marko told this writer. “He has to learn a few things – mainly the pit stops he’s always losing out, he’s coming in either too slow, or braking twice. But I’m sure that will be solved.

“To be honest he’s surprising us. We knew he was quick, but being quick and using less tyres [than Vettel], and always being there, it doesn’t matter what pressure.

“And he’s unlucky. In Bahrain one more lap he would have been on the podium, in China two more laps he would have been on the podium. But he’s always in a good mood and smiling.”