Webber happy to help Ricciardo settle

According to the article, Mark Webber says he envisages no competitive tension with Daniel Ricciardo. While Ricciardo’s arrival at Toro Rosso (Red Bull’s development team) puts him in a good position to eventually challenge for a Red Bull seat, Webber has downplayed any immediate threat or added tension.

No. Webber told The Sunday Age he was not contemplating retirement. He also noted that driver changes and media replacement rumours have occurred before, so he isn’t reading Ricciardo’s arrival as a retirement signal.

The article says Webber played a key role in easing Western Australian Daniel Ricciardo’s transition into Formula One, helping him settle into the sport as Ricciardo began testing and racing with Toro Rosso.

Ricciardo told reporters at testing in southern Spain that both drivers have to run their own race. He said he’ll try not to get in Webber’s way and understands Webber may not want to tell him too much, emphasizing independence rather than direct rivalry.

The article names Daniel Ricciardo, a Western Australian, and Frenchman Jean‑Eric Vergne as the young drivers joining Red Bull’s development team, Toro Rosso.

Webber said the arrival of a second Australian on the grid doesn’t automatically open doors for others. However, he believes if Daniel goes on to have a strong career and wins, it could stimulate more Australians to give Formula One a go, even though it won’t necessarily make the path easier.

The article notes Ricciardo’s arrival on the Formula One grid places him in a prime position to eventually succeed Webber at Red Bull, but Webber himself has not treated that as an immediate source of tension or as confirmation of any impending replacement.

Yes. Webber referenced media claims that he was supposed to be replaced by Kimi Räikkönen four years earlier. He uses past rumours to underline that driver turnover is part of the sport and that such talk doesn’t necessarily change his approach or outlook.