In a small town 30 minutes' drive north of Milan, Daniel Ricciardo is watching The Castle. He's a teenager, homesick, has missed his best mates' 18th birthday parties and has nothing to keep him company other than his long-held dream of one day racing in formula one.

''The town was very, very small and probably had about 1000 people there, and the average age was about 95,'' he says, recalling his early days racing Formula Renault and living some 14,000 kilometres away from home.

''The first year [in 2007] definitely wasn't easy. I was in Italy and my parents came over with me and I think they stayed about 10 days to set me up in my apartment, but then there were a few months there where I was in a small town by myself, not speaking the language and I didn't know what to do.

''At 17, I was still pretty uneducated on life and the world - I didn't know much about washing, cooking or going to the supermarket and buying my own food. But there are a few sacrifices that come with it. I pretty much missed all my mates' 18th birthdays and those little things which mattered a bit at the time. But as far as I was aware, it was just something I had to do, and I thought down the track there would be a big pay-off if I did it properly - that one day I'd look back and be grateful that I made that move. And I am. Very.''

And so goes the story of the 22-year-old formula one driver from Perth - a likeable, mischievous rev-head who blasted quicker times than two-time champion winner Sebastian Vettel as a rookie in the Middle East. He's so charming and jovial, it's easy to forget you're talking to an internationally renowned driver in the most elite motor sport.

He answers the phone: ''Hey, mate. It's just a kid from Perth here.'' And he is - a knockabout kid who is who is still pinching himself that in less than a week's time he'll be lining up on the grid of the Melbourne Grand Prix in a new Toro Rosso with his name emblazoned on the side.

''A little bit before these interviews I start watching The Castle and things like that, just to get me into the swing of things,'' he says.

''I like to keep the Australian accent. I'm still very, very early in my formula one days and I won't let too much bother me. It is quite a big deal, the whole formula one thing, but in a way it's not much different to where I've been racing the last few years.

''OK, I know that sounds crazy. I mean, there is much more people and media attention, but my job hasn't changed too much,'' he says.

''I'm still driving and trying to enjoy it - which I am. And I think that keeps me pretty happy and down to earth. That and I think just having a good family, and I'm quite lucky to have a really close group of friends - basically, good people around me - to keep in touch and talk with on Skype and everything to keep things normal.

''Each year I've been in Europe I've at least had one or two mates comes over and do some travels and spend a bit of time with me. Then there's always my mum, dad and sister, who make a trip or two during the year.''

Ricciardo spent 2006 racing Formula BMW in Asia before relocating to Italy to drive over three minor categories for as many years before winning a test with Red Bull at a young drivers' day in 2009.

It doesn't hurt having your childhood idol - someone who has taken a similar path to formula one - on speed dial.

''I have a bit to do with Mark,'' he says of Australian veteran F1 driver Mark Webber, who made his debut at the Melbourne Grand Prix in 2002 and competes for Toro Rosso's larger sister team, Red Bull Racing, with world champion Sebastian Vettel.

''Obviously he's got his priorities and team but when I first drove F1 Mark gave me a call and gave me some advice,'' Ricciardo says. ''He's always been open to helping me out and always said 'If you want to give me a call, mate, I'll always try and set you in the right direction'. He's been helpful and he's always been nice about that.

''Before my first test with Red Bull back at the end of 2009, he called me the night before and said to enjoy it and treat it like any other car and not be overwhelmed by all the people around me. He said to do what I know. They're all pretty simple things but coming from Mark, who was a bit of an idol growing up, it's nice and comforting, and gives you a bit of confidence when you hear that sort of stuff.''

And Ricciardo, who started his career in an $800 go-kart, has gone on in leaps and bounds since. Too good to keep him sitting in the pits as a test driver, Red Bull lent Ricciardo to Hispania Racing midway through last year, where he cut his teeth over 11 races.

Then, just days before Christmas, he got the news he was to replace Sebastien Buemi as a full-time driver at Toro Rosso.

''I was hoping to get the news but I didn't really have any hints that it was going to happen, so I could say maybe 20 to 30 per cent I thought it was going to happen but I didn't really expect it,'' Ricciardo says from his new home in Britain.

''I was actually at home in Perth at the time, and Red Bull put on a bit of a party later on that week just for me and a few friends. It's not every day you get some news like that and, considering I was on my summer break, well, a couple of beers didn't go astray.''

And if he can finish in the top-eight in the championship this season in a car that's well off the pace of Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari, he could be laughing all the way to the bank. ''It still feels pretty surreal, mate,'' he says, as his manager tells him to wind up the conversation that has already exceeded the team time limit by 15 minutes.

''It happened so quick. I still remember karting and everything so clearly, and all of a sudden I'm now in formula one. It is very, very crazy. It's just all happened so quick but I'm just enjoying it and taking it as it comes. I'm not getting caught up on the fact that I'm a formula one driver. This is a privilege.''

Just as much as it will be a privilege for his many friends, family and supporters from Perth to watch him line up alongside the likes of Vettel, Schumacher, Hamilton, Alonso, Button and Webber at next week's Australian Grand Prix.