The plaudits keep flowing for Daniel Ricciardo – but instead of letting them get to his head, the Australian is using it as motivation to not slacken off.

Ex-team owner Eddie Jordan, who gave Michael Schumacher his Formula One debut, this week said Ricciardo was “one of the best things to happen to F1 in a very long time”.

“He has been a revelation,” he said in a Q&A on the BBC Sport’s website ahead of Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.

“He is the surprise package of the year.

“If you’d said to me at the beginning of the year that this guy would win three races and (teammate Sebastian) Vettel would win none, I would have said you were dreaming.”

Four-time world champion Vettel is finding himself in the unaccustomed role of playing second fiddle to Ricciardo this season, but last week praised his performances.

“Daniel has done a very, very good job and has made life difficult for me,” he said.

“But it’s good for the team’s morale. His results have proved that our car isn’t as bad as all that.”

Asked in Suzuka what he thought of those most recent comments, Ricciardo said they were a “pat on the back and more motivation”.

“Obviously, he is acknowledging that I am doing a good thing and I obviously realise that and want to keep it up, so that motivates me to not slack off and keep trying to find more,” he told crash.net.

“It’s nice of him to say that, but hearing those things definitely won’t make me ease off.”

The 25-year-old from Perth has been one of the standout drivers in 2014, with three victories and four other podiums.

He sits just 60 points off the championship lead, held by Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, with five races remaining.

Ricciardo is in no doubt his performances this year have sparked some interest among rival Formula One teams, but he insists no one has tried to poach him from reigning champions Red Bull.

“No team principal has come up and pulled me aside in the pit-lane and said anything,” he said in jest.

“But I’m not too naive either. I’m sure there’s interest … I’m sure other teams are aware of what I’ve done this year (but there’s been) nothing blatant.

“I’m definitely here next year and, if I don’t get the goods this year, I hope to get it next year.”

Qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix begins on Saturday at 3pm (AEST).