Australia's Daniel Ricciardo says he has no intention of being best friends with soon-to-be teammate Sebastian Vettel, predicting plenty of healthy competition between the pair from day one of the new Formula One season.
The 24-year-old from Perth will link up with his new team at Red Bull almost immediately after clocking his final laps for junior outfit Toro Rosso at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday.
Ricciardo said he was quite happy for the season to come to an end after a hectic year both on and off the track, but admitted to feeling mixed emotions.
"The fact that it's my last weekend with Toro Rosso, it's a little bit sad," he told AAP.
"I've made some good relationships with some of the guys and girls here. I'm not moving far away next year but for sure I'm going to miss a few people."
While a top 10 finish will be a big result for the Australian at Interlagos this weekend, Ricciardo knows that just won't cut it when he replaces compatriot Mark Webber behind the wheel of a Red Bull in 2014 alongside four-time world champion Vettel.
He also faces the added pressure of being the only F1 driver left to fly the Australian flag.
"I guess there'll be a bit more (pressure) being the only Aussie and stuff, but it's not going to change my approach or the way I drive," he said.
"I'll stay focused and just do what I can."
Ricciardo has said he is more excited than intimidated by the fact he will be sharing a garage with Vettel following his record-breaking run in 2013.
But the ever-smiling Ricciardo doesn't expect to be best friends with his new partner, who has endured a rocky relationship with Webber since their pairing in 2009.
"With teammates, you're never going to be best mates," he said.
"I've never had a teammate which I've been best mates with.
"I'm not saying we're going to dislike each other, but that's just the competitive nature this sport brings.
"We'll spend time in the pre-season, in January, trying to help the team fast-track the development of the car, give as much feedback as we can.
"I'm sure we'll talk and describe to each other what we're feeling to try and get a better understanding of what the car needs.
"These are all things I've had to do with teammates in the past, which have been fine.
"But I'm sure once we get on track and the first qualifying of the year happens in Melbourne, then I'm going to want to beat him just as much as he's going to want to beat me - and that's natural."
Ricciardo plans to head home to Perth for Christmas to spend some time with family and friends, before his new mission begins at Red Bull.
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