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Red Bull Formula 1 star Daniel Ricciardo has offered Alex Rullo advice ahead of the schoolboy’s Virgin Australia Supercars Championship debut at next month’s Clipsal 500.
The Australian F1 icon recorded a special personal video message offering some words of wisdom to 16-year-old Rullo, who will become the youngest driver to compete in the Supercars Championship.
He is four months the junior of Paul Dumbrell, brother of team owner Lucas, who was the previous youngest ever Supercars driver in 1999.
Four-time grand prix winner, Ricciardo, advised fellow Perth native Rullo to stay cool, be open-minded and be willing to learn ahead of his maiden season in the main game.
Channelling moments from his own F1 career, he believes appreciating and learning from the successes of other drivers is crucial to climbing the motorsport ladder.
“I just want to say I wish you all the best in your season opener,” said Ricciardo.
“You will obviously be overwhelmed with many things that weekend, but if you just stay cool you will do great.
“For me the biggest thing when I got into Formula 1 with HRT was that first weekend. It was crazy.
“I think the biggest challenge was not the race itself but the media and everything surrounding it.
“I was just trying to save some energy for the race on Sunday.
“I think it will be hectic. Obviously it is cool to be excited about it but just make sure you save a little bit in the bag for the race itself and just ride along with it and don’t overthink it too much.
“Going up against guys like (Sebastian) Vettel and having some success, from my point of view a big thing was learning from them and being open-minded.
“Obviously I believe a lot in my own ability. You can always learn and appreciate what somebody else has done in the sport.
“I focussed on myself first but I was always trying to see if I could gain a little bit more from the likes of Vettel when I had him as a team-mate.
“Just stay open-minded and be willing to learn and you will go far in the sport.”
Rullo is set to jump behind the wheel of his LDM Commodore for the first time at the official tyre test at Sydney Motorsport Park on February 21.
VIDEO: Daniel Ricciardo’s advice to Alex Rullo
