Ricciardo recalls first meeting with Tost: 'It made me grow up a little'

Daniel Ricciardo has recalled his first meeting with Franz Tost,stating that it “made me mature quicker” ahead of his season withToro Rosso. After spending the second half of the 2011 campaignwith the now-defunct HRT team, Ricciardo was handed a Toro Rossodrive for the following season. The Australian spent two years withthe team before being promoted to its Red Bull sister squad in2014. Having since raced for Renault and McLaren, Ricciardo foundhimself back at the Tost-led team this year, now racing under themoniker of AlphaTauri. Tost took part in his last F1 race in AbuDhabi last month ahead of his retirement, with Ricciardo reflectingon the Austrian's impact on the squad. “I think for the team, he'sbeen everything, obviously starting off in the Toro Rosso days,that's where I started my first full season in F1,” Ricciardo toldmedia including RacingNews365 . “I remember quite vividly the firstmeeting I had in his office and, you know, I kind of bounced inwith a smile. “I think he looked at me like [he] tried to prepareme for what's ahead. It's a serious sport and it's a tough oldworld. “So I think he was very honest with me as well, a little bitthe same as with Helmut, it kind of made me mature a little quickerand ultimately grow up.” 'Always been really involved' FollowingTost's retirement, ex-Ferrari Sporting Director Laurent Mekies willtake over running the day-to-day operations of the squad in a TeamPrincipal role. However, Tost is still set to be involved in aconsultancy role to provide advice when needed despite not beingpresent at the track during race weekends. “Franz has always beenreally involved,” Ricciardo added. “He's in every debrief, he'llnormally speak as well in debriefs and give some analysis or adviceor anything he's seen. He's fully involved in it, it's his passion.“It's been everything that's kind of given him drive for so manyyears. I hope he can enjoy putting his feet up a little bit nextyear. “I'm not sure fully what that’s going to entail for him, butI really hope he's able to enjoy some R&R, but a lot of goodmemories and actually really nice for me personally to come back tothe team and be here for his farewell.”