Formula One star Daniel Ricciardo doesn't believe the lack of driver experience will hurt Red Bull's championship tilt next season.
The team has lost four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel to Ferrari in 2015, with tyro Daniil Kvyat his replacement from sister outfit Toro Rosso.
While Ricciardo had the clear edge on Vettel this year, winning three grands prix to the German's zero, the Australian drew a lot from his teammate's experience.
Despite their on-track battles, the pair grew closer during the season - even eating breakfast together on most race weekends.
But Ricciardo doesn't feel Vettel's absence will make his job harder nor his defection change their relationship.
"We ended, let's say, our relationship in a very good way and we've both got a really high level of respect for each other," the 25-year-old told AAP.
"I think that's how it is and that'll continue.
"The 12 months I had with him I absorbed as much as I could, and I think now I can use a bit of that and what I've learnt from myself to stay strong, stay motivated."
Ricciardo said he was looking forward to the challenge of having a younger driver in Kvyat, who he believes will bring fresh approach into the team.
"Even though Danii is much less experienced than me, I still feel I'm going to learn a lot from him - probably from a whole different side of it," Ricciardo said.
"Obviously I'll use my experience to try and help the team now, and push them up forward."
Asked what he thought were the three things to watch out for in 2015, Ricciardo nominated himself as one.
"I don't think I've peaked yet," he said.
"That's a positive - I think there's still good things to come out of me.
"As for opponents, Mercedes are going to be strong again. I guess Honda will be interesting to see (with) Fernando (Alonso) there (at McLaren) ... that could be a fun one as well."
Ricciardo will spend the next month in his home town of Perth, before returning to Europe for the pre-season.
"I can enjoy Christmas now that I have some downtime, and I feel like I've deserved it. It's a good feeling."
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