Daniel Ricciardo hopes to compete with world champion Sebastian Vettel when he takes Mark Webber's Red Bull seat next season.

The Australian – who still drives for the junior team Toro Rosso – said his real target is to be the best in the sport and believes he is good enough to compete with the German.

He told Formula One's official website: "I believe that I've got this far for a reason - so there is no reason why it should stop here. With each year I get more hungry and determined.

"I see Seb and I know that he is a phenomenal driver - but he is also only human. If I really put the hard work in I should be able to challenge the top guys."

Ricciardo has scored 18 points so far this season, five more than teammate Jean-Eric Vergne.