DANIEL Ricciardo’s stellar Formula 1 season has seen him named as the best driver of 2016 by renowned publication Autosport.

Ricciardo outpaced all his fellow F1 stars and every other four-wheel racer on the planet to top the prestigious list for the second time.

“Nico Rosberg won the world championship, Lewis Hamilton was the best performing Mercedes driver overall, and Max Verstappen created headlines as his ascent to the top of single-seater racing continues, but Daniel Ricciardo was the best racing driver in 2016,” Autosport said.

Ricciardo’s cheeky response to learning of the gong typified a year when he helped make the humble ‘shoey’ a household word — and yes, he performed one to celebrate the award — and when his chirpy radio banter has made headlines around the world.

“Do I get like a nude cover shot now or something?” Ricciardo joked to Autosport.

“A Christian Horner one? Maybe not nude ...”

Daniel Ricciardo claimed his fourth career F1 win in Malaysia. Source: Getty Images

The last time Ricciardo headed the list was his breakout year in 2014, when he took three race wins and outshone four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel in equal machinery.

While 2016 saw him collect his first pole position, one win and a few shouldabeens, it was his response to the arrival of highly-rated Max Verstappen as his teammate at Red Bull that was arguably the highlight of Ricciardo’s year.

“He turns up in Barcelona and there’s a pack of photographers outside Max’s garage and none outside the front of his,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner explained to Autosport.

“Psychologically he’s dealt with that incredibly well, and risen to the challenge of Max. He’s enjoyed and relished it.

“His performance under pressure. His racecraft has again been first-class this year. Some of his overtaking moves have been mighty, and as he’s gained experience and matured he’s become very much a complete driver.”

Ricciardo outqualified Verstappen 11-6 during 2016. Source: AFP

Ricciardo is now back in Australia as he unwinds from what has been a year of extremes.

His victory in Malaysia was as much grafted as it was opportunist — a hallmark of all of Ricciardo’s F1 wins so far.

Yes, he benefited from Hamilton’s engine failure, but he’d had to fight off a feisty Verstappen armed with much newer tyres to retain track position.

His maiden career pole position was sublime, with many trackside at Monaco left agog at the thing Ricciardo was able to do with his Red Bull around the narrow, twisty streets. It was one of many times in 2016 when Ricciardo was able to summon his best lap of the weekend on command, absorbing the pressure to put together three improved sectors on his final run.

The biggest low of the year came the following day.

A pit stop error cost Ricciardo what should have been a famous victory, one of a few occasions when Red Bull’s race strategy let him down.

The silver lining of Red Bull’s continuing deficit to the dominant Mercedes was that they were not mistakes that cost him a world championship.

Next year may be very different.

The three main challengers for the 2017 title? Source: Getty Images

Heavily revised F1 regulations are expected to narrow the divide even further between Red Bull and Mercedes, perhaps even giving Ricciardo a level playing field on which to battle Hamilton and whomever takes Rosberg’s vacant seat.

It’s a prospect he relishes but, after the let-down of 2015, it’s one he isn’t expectant of.

“I’ve made peace with whatever the equipment will be, it’ll be, and I’ll try to get the most out of that,” Ricciardo said.

“I really hope next year can be the first real chance we have to fight for a world title, but if it isn’t I’ll have faith that it’ll be 2018.

“I’ve extended a couple more years (of my contract) with Red Bull (and) I do believe that within those two years we should get at least one chance.

“That’s all I need.”

AUSSIES AND KIWIS ON AUTOSPORT’S TOP 50 DRIVERS LIST

1. Daniel Ricciardo (F1)

14. Will Power (IndyCar)

20. Scott Dixon (IndyCar)

23. Brendon Hartley (WEC)

28. Shane van Gisbergen (Supercars)

38. Mark Webber (WEC)

49. Jamie Whincup (Supercars)