Ricciardo still grounded despite super season

Three Grand Prix wins have made zero difference to Dan Ricciardo.

The smile is as big as ever, the enthusiasm is as strong as ever, and he is still the same knockabout youngster from Perth who is living his dream.

Ricciardo was the only driver to break the Mercedes-Benz stranglehold on this year's Formula One world championship and he buried his team mate Sebastian Vettel, a four-time titleholder, in the process. He's now the team leader at Inifiniti Red Bull Racing and shaping as a serious championship contender in 2015.

But there is no sign of any superstar baggage. "What's changed for me this year? Well, I'm better looking," Ricciardo laughed. "But I think the only things that change are the natural things, you get older and a bit wiser. There is nothing forced." His attitude is reflected in the helmet he chose this year for his 'wildcard' race, when each driver is allowed a break from his season design. 

It's a giant caricature of Ricciardo's trademark grin, the winning entry for a competition run by Red Bull in Italy. "I thought it was a bit of a laugh. And it stood out. And it was something to lighten the end of the season." There was plenty of grinning through 2014, from crossing the line in second at the Australian Grand Prix to those three victories and third place in the championship standings. 

"I think for me, personally, what's good is that I proved to myself that I've got what it takes to make the next step. To be a contender for the world title," he said.

McLaren last night announced the return of Fernando Alonso and says the two-time F1 champion will drive alongside Jenson Button in 2015, with Kevin Magnussen dropping to reserve driver. Alonso's departure from Ferrari was widely expected.