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Ricciardo optimistic Key will move Toro Rosso forward

Daniel Ricciardo: "We have high hopes that we will move up the grid" © Sutton Images

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• Daniel Ricciardo

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Daniel Ricciardo is cautiously optimistic Toro Rosso can move up the grid in 2013 with the arrival of James Key as technical director.

At the Italian Grand Prix this year, Toro Rosso announced that ex-Sauber technical director James Key would take over from the outgoing Giorgio Ascanelli to lead the team forward. Key, who is highly rated and was one of the men behind the podium-scoring Sauber C31, has been focused on improving the team for 2013 and Ricciardo is confident he will deliver.

"From what I've seen at the track he's quite an optimistic guy, quietly spoken but you can tell he gets the word across," Ricciardo said. "He's definitely got high aims and he's very ambitious. I haven't seen it with my own eyes in the factory, but I can visualise what's happening and I think it's good. I don't want to get too carried away, but we have high hopes that we will move up the grid. But until it happens we won't get too excited, but it looks promising for now."

Toro Rosso finished this season at the back of the midfield pack with 26 points, but Ricciardo said there was a clear shift towards the 2013 car when Key came onboard.

"There was only so much James and the guys could have done for this year," he said. "Once the car is there, it's there and you can bring some updates that can help, but a lot is in the chassis and in the mould. There are a few things that came through in the last few races, but in terms of revamping the car it was always going to be pretty difficult after the summer break and that's why it was best to spend most of our time looking forward to next year."

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