You ask the questions: Daniel Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo is a man with every reason to be happy.

It's been confirmed that he will remain at Toro Rosso for a second season in 2013, once again alongside Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne. He's all smiles, but the reality is that Toro Rosso is a tough environment for any racing driver.

As members of the Red Bull Junior Team, both Ricciardo and his team-mate Vergne must prove their worth in Formula 1. Fail and, as a host of former junior drivers have learned, their time in the sport is quickly over. Succeed and the reward could be a shot at driving for world-title challengers Red Bull.

It's a theme he's happy to discuss, along with his life in Milton Keynes and the dream of maybe one day driving for Ferrari. With a big grin on his face, he's ready to answer the questions...

Who is your idol both in life and in sport?
Ilja Seliktar, Bulgaria

I've always looked up to Travis Pastrana, a fellow Red Bull athlete. I've followed him since I was a kid. I love the freestyle motocross and the fact he lives every day like it's his last. Some people say that's an aggressive approach, but he's had an amazing attitude since he's been on earth.

What happened in Bahrain? You started sixth but dropped back so quickly. Why?
Martha Thomas, UK

[Laughs] Good question. It's definitely a Sunday I wanted to forget [he finished 15th]. The start itself wasn't great, I had a bit of wheelspin and I was a little too eager with the throttle and then it sort of concertinaed throughout the lap, so I lost a few places off the line then lost a few more off the first corner. I basically didn't get into the right rhythm, and as soon as the lights went out I was on the back foot and didn't pick myself up quickly enough. I've definitely learnt from that.

Bahrain: Great qualifying, no race rhythm © XPB

If you had £20million to buy any seat in F1 where would you go? Answer with your heart... then your head.
Gary Reeves, UK

I guess there are two options: Red Bull or Ferrari. Red Bull have a good car at the moment, and I know a lot of the people there, so if I were to do it right now, it would be Red Bull. But then there's heart as well. I have an Italian background and I guess Ferrari wouldn't be a bad place either. So it's definitely between those two. If I had to choose now, it would be Red Bull.

What do you do with your hair to make it look so astonishing?
Maja Bahor, Slovenia

Wow. I actually do nothing. It's naturally curly and sometimes I find it's a bit boring because it's hard to do anything with it. When I was young it was really long - I had a bit of an afro as a kid. Find a picture of me racing Formula BMW from about six years ago and, to be honest, I just looked ridiculous. I prefer it shorter these days.

Dan, will you win your first race before the West Coast Eagles win their next AFL premiership?
Pat Doherty, Australia

I hope so. But I'm rooting for both of us. They finished fifth last year out of 16 teams; they got into the finals and they're doing alright.

What is the difference in terms of team culture between Toro Rosso and HRT?
Matt Bailey, Australia

I guess being with Toro Rosso, the team is more established and people have been there for longer. In terms of the work that gets done over a weekend, it's more structured and I think that's due to experience and having a bit more consistency within the personnel. Here we've had James Key come in who's very experienced; he's done a lot of work back at base in the windtunnel. I don't know if it's coincidence, but since he's come on board we've had good results compared to earlier - but I don't want to blame Giorgio Ascanelli and say he was the reason why.

Ricciardo answered your questions © F1 Racing

Given your Italian blood, what are your thoughts of one day driving for Ferrari?
Angelo Lombardi, Australia

This question is from someone who looks like they're a real Italo-Australian! As I mentioned before, I think it would be pretty special to be honest. I think for anybody to drive for Ferrari it would be special, but to have an Italian background would emphasise that a bit more - and it's not something that I would ignore if they approached me during my career.

Does your mother still come to races and does she still carry spare underwear in her handbag for you in case you have a big shunt? (I'm the guy off that EasyJet flight from Hungary, two years ago...)
Dan Chillcott, UK

[Laughs] I remember this dude! She does come to a few races, but I'm glad I'm in the car and can't see her because she's as nervous and fidgety as they come. My parents did a stint in Europe earlier in the year and came to about four races, so it's nice to have my family there. But she no longer packs my pants - I'm toilet-trained now!

What do you do in your spare time in Milton Keynes?
Andy Bottomley, UK

I love mountain biking and there are some good woods around there - good roundabouts, too! I've been wearing out a lot of left front tyres in my car... I think mountain biking is what I enjoy doing most in my spare time. I enjoy going to concerts and festivals as well.

Hi, what does kangaroo meat taste like?
P Pawel, Poland

Unfortunately, Mr Pawel from Poland, I've never tried kangaroo meat. Couldn't tell you.

Why do you love One Tree Hill so much?
Alexandre Martos, France

I started watching it in 2008 because some of my team-mates were. I was given the first couple of seasons, watched them and liked it - it was quite a romantic teenage drama and I was single at the time and thought I was in love with many girls. I had a bit of a soft spot for it and for Sophia Bush, one of the main actresses in it. She's very pretty...

Ricciardo is well aware of the quality of Red Bull Junior Antonio Felix da Costa © XPB

Hi Daniel, what do you think about this line-up: Raikkonen and Ricciardo at Red Bull in 2014?
Ondrey Sembera, Czech Republic

That's the first time I've heard of that. It would be fun. Kimi is a man of few words, but I'm sure I could stir him up him a little bit and piss him off. That would be interesting.

Do you follow other Red Bull Junior drivers like Antonio Felix da Costa? And do his performances make you nervous?
Edwin Schimmel, Netherlands

I follow the Red Bull Junior Team and the other categories. You always know who's winning what. I don't watch all the races, but eventually you do find out what's going on and I'm aware of Red Bull Junior drivers I've spent time with in training camps. I don't feel threatened - everyone is an opponent - so it doesn't make
me nervous. There's always someone coming up, whether they're a Red Bull driver or not. You always have to be switched on and 2013 is sorted. I do the best I can and I hope it's enough.

Aside from F1, what sports do you enjoy? Have you ever been to see the MK Dons?
Alexey Petrenko, Russia

Yes I have, actually. I've been there a couple of times, a few years ago. They drew one and won one, against Blackpool, I think, but I love all sports, including football, Australian football - everything. I like the extreme sports as well, like motocross and American supercross.

Between you and JEV, who's faster?
Jason Bird, UK

Me.

What do Australians think of Foster's?
Matt Dowland, UK

In Australia, Foster's isn't as big as it is here. I've tried it on tap both in Australia and the UK and I would say it definitely tastes better in the UK. It's a nice summer beer.

Ricciardo first had Red Bull backing in Formula Renault in 2008

What's your favourite album?
Andrew Groves, UK

When I was at school, my taste in music was rap, hip-hop, Dr Dre and Eminem. But a few years later, I grew out of that and started liking punk rock. The first album I really liked was Sticks and Stones by New Found Glory. Why don't you come to a gig with me? I'll be a bit crazy - I've crowd-surfed in the past...

How did you get support from Red Bull?

Phil Wilkes, Australia

I moved to Europe when I was 17 and raced Italian Formula Renault. There was a Red Bull and Toyota programme in the series, and I raced with a team, RP Motorsport, who weren't the best out there but I still managed to finish sixth in the championship. That was out of around 40 drivers and I beat the Red Bulls quite a few times, so I think they noticed what I achieved in equipment that wasn't as good as theirs and offered me a test. In that test, I did the quickest time of anyone by about 0.8secs and that was enough to give me the job.

Why don't you pronounce the second 'i' in Ricciardo?
John Gullidge, UK

Growing up in Australia, I think it was my dad who probably decided to make it a silent 'i'. 'Ricardo' sounds better than 'Ricky-ar-do' and I think the real traditional way of saying it is [puts on Italian accent] 'Richi-ar-do', but I don't think many Australians can say it with the proper accent - so it's pronounced 'Ricardo'.

How do you maintain a good working relationship with a team-mate, knowing that you have to defeat him out on track?
Nishant Raj, India

We're all well aware of how Formula 1 works. We've all been involved in it for a long time and we have learnt how it all works. I guess you must respect your rivals; you can't take things for granted and you can't be silly out there. We talk to each other a little, but we know that under a thin layer of skin we see fire.

Marko is 'intimidating at first,' says Daniel © XPB

Can you tell us what Dr Marko is really like? Mad? Scary? And do you call him Helmut or Dr Marko?
John Nicholls, UK

The first time I met him was when I was new to Red Bull. I was a bit intimidated - but then I think he tends to have that effect on all newcomers. When I'd call him for the first few times I was nervous, especially if it was a bad result. And speaking to all the other Red Bull juniors, they all said the same thing - I wasn't the only one. To be honest, once you get to know him and you're doing well, he's a more than normal human being... What I'm trying to say is that he's not as scary as he maybe comes across. Do I call him Helmut or Dr Marko? It's always Dr Marko.

Do you ever race as yourself on a version of the F12012 game on a PS3 or Xbox? Or do you choose someone else, like Alonso?
William Stewart, USA

I haven't played the new game yet, but when I do I will definitely be playing as myself. Always as myself. And it's actually supercool to be on a video game. That's definitely something to tell the grandkids one day.

Do you think there's more pressure to succeed on drivers who are part of young driver programmes, than there is on other drivers?
Rosie Baillie, UK

I wouldn't say that: either way there's always going to be pressure. If you're not supported by a programme, then you're supported by someone else, or your parents are handing out a bit of money to get you there. There's always a bit of risk involved and, unfortunately, it's not a cheap sport and money has to be exchanged somewhere along the lines. Put it this way: I feel much better about being supported by Red Bull, than I would if my parents were selling their house to support me.

How did it feel to score your first points in F1 in front of your home crowd?
Andrew Gair, UK

That was Melbourne last year - it was a special day. I was ecstatic, but I didn't really get to celebrate on Sunday night. There were no big parties, but I was with a few family friends and there were plenty of hugs and high fives. The last lap was exciting: I was 13th, then passed Maldonado, Rosberg, and JEV - the latter on the third to last corner. It was really cool.