Did anyone think Ricciardo would be doing this well?

I called that Dan would be faster than Vettel.

I also called that Dan would start magically having problems if he proved to be so, and look what's happened so far: fuel sensor in Australia, three wheels, broken wing, fuel sensor failure in Malaysia...10 place grid penalty because of the team's incompetence in Bahrain...

Man, I can't wait...in another race or two, when Dan keeps beating Vettel and the sulky Golden Brat has run out of excuses, just you wait, Vettel's temper tantrum is going to be epic!

EDIT:

@Verulan 2: Actually, this is exactly the sort of car that Webber would have kicked Vettel's butt from pillar to post in - raw, difficult, not perfect. Mark grew up in those cars as he had to fight his way up the grid and EARN his seat in a top drive, unlike Vettel who was gift-wrapped great cars from the get-go.

daniel is doing a great job, but mark my words, once vettel gets his mind around the new red bull and the car is set up for his liking, he'll have everyone cornered, like he did last year.

I think Webber would be beating Vettel as well if he was still there. Vettel adapted to the blown diffuser type of driving better than any other driver so he's suffering more than anyone now that has gone.

I certainly did not. I think Red Bull is surprised just like the rest of us, of course they had faith in him or he wouldn't have been picked for the seat. With that said Daniel is doing a fantastic job and I hope his current pace continues. As for Vettel, I really don't want to admit it but I think he will up his pace as the season progresses.

It would have been interesting to see whether Webber would have been able to handle this new car as well as his successor, putting Vettel totally in the shade. I doubt it because for me, Webber never had the right mind-set - always complaining and blaming his 'tools'. Ricciardo on the other hand has an excellent approach to his job and is reaping the rewards. If it means Vettel is getting his, then so be it. Wasn't it said this weekend that what's happening with Vettel is a lesson that needed to be learnt (or words to that effect) with him. Meaning he's had it 'easy' for too long!!! Character building. Temper tantrum? I can't wait.

If you'd actually bothered to watch him before F1 and even when he was driving for HRT you'd know how good he was