Ricciardo: I've been surprised by my success

Daniel Ricciardo says he is happy for Red Bull to avoid implementing team orders to aid his slim title chances so he can continue to earn victories on merit against Sebastian Vettel.

Ricciardo is 72 points down on championship leader Rosberg but, given that the Abu Dhabi finale is double-weighted this year, the Australian could be in with a shout if Mercedes slips up again this season. Red Bull resisted team orders between Vettel and Mark Webber in 2010 but in that instance both men had a shot at the title, with the world champion this year 60 points down on his team-mate in 2014.

Ricciardo admitted after Belgium he would be open to team orders being discussed but now admits he prefers a situation where he and Vettel are still racing.

When asked if he was disappointed there were no team orders at Red Bull yet, Ricciardo said: "Yes and no, I mean at the same time, not to sound too confident, but I would like to not have to rely on it. I'd love to be in front of Seb, for example, and not have to rely on him moving over. It just makes me hungrier to make sure I am in front and that I won't need them [orders].

"It's nothing against him or the team, it's just how it is. And it's fair, it is fair. I think it's still quite early and because we're both quite long shots, it's not a dead set that if he helps me I'm going to win. I think we both need a bit of luck to go with that, not just a small team order."

While Ricciardo has won three times this season, Vettel has been on the podium just twice. Despite their contrasting fortunes Ricciardo believes nothing has changed in the pair's relationship in their first season together.

"Seb and I are acting the same as we were back in January, February. I can't say he's changed; I've had the best of him so far and he hasn't held that against me. He's still been very respectful, every victory I've had he's come up and said well done or if he's had to shoot off he's sent me a message saying well done. It hasn't changed and I definitely respect him for that; as far as team-mates go it can't really get too much better."

Ricciardo also thinks too much has been made of Vettel's struggles this year and expects his team-mate to be competitive for the rest of the season.

"I don't think he's struggling as much as anyone thinks. He's out-qualified me in the last three races now, so he's obviously got to grips with it better. I think my Sundays, my race performances, has been the surprising one, it's been really good.

"I think what I've had going for me in the last few races has been tyre management; it seems I've been able to look after them a bit better. In terms of pure speed I think he's up to speed now with everything and as you've seen he's pushed me in the last few qualifying sessions. I think from now until the end of the year there shouldn't be any more question-marks; whoever's in front is in front."