Red- letter days: Ricciardo’s career- defining duel

DANIEL Ricciardo has revealed his Formula One career could have ended in 2013 had he not fended off a challenge from former teammate JeanEric Vergne to win a seat at the Red Bull Race Team.

In an exclusive interview with News Corp on the eve of the season- opening Australian Grand Prix, the man vying to become the first home- grown champion at Albert Park admitted his Formula One dream could have been crushed during the make- or- break year.

“It was Red Bull or nothing,’’ Ricciardo said. “It was up to me to have a breakthrough. If I got outperformed by JeanEric, well then I am not sure where I would have gone.’’

Now an international star and a drivers’ championship chance, the 27- year- old revealed that four races in 2013 saved his career.

The Perth- raised pilot was an emerging driver for the Toro Rosso team when he was pitched into a fight with Vergne for a seat at all- conquering Red Bull.

“That was a very big year,’’ Ricciardo said.

“As soon as Mark ( Webber) retired there was a lot to play for. There was a string of four races where I had to perform and I think I made it during those races. It is obvious to me that it ( those four races) has given me the opportunity I have now.’’

Ricciardo admitted he may have been forced to quit Formula One without the support of Red Bull, who recruited him to their academy as a teenager in 2008.

“No ( I couldn’t have bought a seat),’’ Ricciardo said. “And I wouldn’t have wanted to. I wouldn’t have been able to afford to do it anyway.

“If it came to November ( of 2013) I would have had to look and see if there was any other team that wanted me.

“But thankfully it happened in June so I didn’t have to try a back- up. But for me it was certainly Red Bull or nothing.’’