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Ricciardo told to push, not fear crashes

"We’re going to be on the edge"

By GMM

15 March 2012 - 08:11

Toro Rosso has told its new drivers to push hard rather than fear a crash, Daniel Ricciardo revealed ahead of his first home grand prix in Australia.

The Red Bull rookie team has replaced Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi with Australian Ricciardo and newcomer Jean-Eric Vergne.

They are lined up as potential replacements for senior team Red Bull’s Mark Webber in 2013, but at the same time must fear succumbing to the same fate as their instantly-axed predecessors.

"We’re going to be on the edge," Ricciardo insisted in Melbourne.

"They (his bosses) have said ’if you make a mistake, it happens. At least we know you’re pushing it’.

"Obviously we’re not going out there trying to crash the car, but sometimes a team needs to see you go off - whether it’s a crash or you run across the grass - to know that you’re trying to find that limit.

"I’m not going to hold back," he promised.

When ruling out Lewis Hamilton for Webber’s seat earlier this week, Christian Horner said Red Bull was more likely to look "inwardly than outwardly" should the team need to find a new teammate for Sebastian Vettel.

At the same time, Ricciardo feels the pressure to keep his place at Toro Rosso.

"It could be my one and only (year) if it’s not good enough so I’ve definitely got to step up and do as good as I can," he said.