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Ferrari F1 dream 'a cliche', says Riccciardo

LONDON, England - Up-and-coming Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo insists he does not feel the famous lure of Maranello, the home of Ferrari.

Ricciardo, 25, was born and raised in Australia but his father is from Sicily. The son, asked by Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport if driving for Ferrari was his "ultimate dream", gave a surprising answer: "To be honest, I think that is just a cliche."

"I LOVE ITALIAN FOOD, NOT FERRARI"

He added, however: "For sure some drivers have this dream but I think it's related to the fact that their parents loved Ferrari for its great history and cultural heritage" - pause for one of his customary grins - "My Italian DNA comes out in my eating. I love Italian food, especially when I am training hard and can eat properly."

So, rather than dreaming of Ferrari, Ricciardo told the Italian news agency Adnkronos that he was more than enjoying his first year with Red Bull's premier team - he rose through the ranks of the 'energy drink' brand's junior programme.

"I was hoping for a year like this," he said.  "I knew that, if I did everything right, it was possible to fight on equal terms with Sebastian (Vettel). I think I've started the year very well, so the goal is just to keep doing what I'm doing."

As for the ever-controversial format of today's F1 Ricciardo (his family pronounces it Ric-cardo) said that while some had been highly critical he was enjoying 2014. "You can't please everyone," he said.  "If someone thinks it's boring you have to understand that, but I think it's a sport and really nice and exciting.

"I love to see the enthusiasm of the fans at the grands prix."
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