Mark Webber says fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo is already faster than he ever was.
Webber's retirement in 2013 opened the door for Ricciardo to make the step up from Toro Rosso to Red Bull. Ricciardo won three races in his first season at the team, out-performing Sebastian Vettel, though 2015 was a more mixed campaign in an unreliable and uncompetitive car.
Webber, who won nine races for Red Bull between 2009 and 2013, thinks Ricciardo is a good car away from being a title contender in Formula One.
"Obviously he is extremely quick," Webber told CNN. "He's got a lot of experience so he's now one of the most experienced guys at the front pushing for victories, pushing for championships. He's definitely has championships in him in the future. I guess just put the right scenario on his doorstep and he'll capture that I am sure."
"He needs the right car to get the job done, obviously we know that. He's got to get himself in that scenario again, which he had a few years ago. And he is more than capable of that. I think he is quicker and faster than I ever was, so he is in good shape there, and has a good chance to do well and continue to fly the flag for more Aussies coming over."
Webber thinks Ricciardo's presence in Formula One is important for young Australian drivers coming through the ranks given the nation's lack of prominence in the sport in previous decades.
"For us to come through and get into Formula One as Australians, we know the strike rate is extremely low. I think there was a 21 or 22-year gap [editor's note: it was 28] between Alan Jones winning a race and myself winning a race
"To get points and podiums is really really hard, even to arrive in Formula One and keep a long-term contract was difficult for Australians. So to have such a quick turnover, to have Daniel in my slipstream if you like, we are competing and we are in good hands."