Daniel Ricciardo's rise from the deep midfield to title-contending prominence in F1 has been a surprise to almost everyone in the paddock. In fact, even those who know him best - Dr Helmut Marko, Christian Horner and Adrian Newey - have said even they were shocked by the Australian's graduation from Toro Rosso nearly-man to Sebastian Vettel-beater in 2014. But undoubtedly, sparks of a very special talent were always obvious. Luca Furbatto, who has now left the Faenza team, worked closely with Ricciardo as he designed Toro Rosso cars until earlier this year. He told Italy's Autosprint that as soon as the braces-wearing youngster stepped up from HRT in pre-2012 winter testing, "I was...
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