Daniel Ricciardo hopes to give his Red Bull predecessor and compatriot Mark Webber something to cheer about at next month’s Australian Formula One Grand Prix.

Webber will be watching the season-opener from the wings of Albert Park as Ricciardo, who replaced him at Red Bull, starts his first race for the championship-winning team.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all the Aussie flags knowing that they’re all for me this time, because when I used to see them I always assumed they were for Mark!” laughed Ricciardo, who’ll be Australia’s sole representative on this year’s grid.

After featuring as a driver in Melbourne’s past 12 grands prix, this year’s event will mark Webber’s debut as a television commentator for Network Ten – alongside former world champion Alan Jones.

He’ll also be on deck to launch Champion Edge, an initiative for young people, with a jog around the 5km track.

“It’s going to be very different for me to be back in Melbourne during the Australian Grand Prix week and not racing, but I’m looking forward to completing a lap around the circuit – albeit at a slower speed,” said Webber, who will spearhead the return of Porsche to the World Endurance Championship this year.

Ricciardo said it will be nice to have the nine-time grand prix winner watching on.

“Hopefully I can give him something to cheer about and make him – and a lot of other Aussies – proud,” he said.

The 24-year-old, who will take to the track on Friday and Saturday for Red Bull’s second test session in Bahrain, said he was more excited than nervous about his third F1 race on home soil.

“But always with excitement you get nerves, you get a bit of adrenaline,” he said.

“I’ll be lying if I said wasn’t nervous coming over and lining up on the grid. Which driver isn’t?

“I wouldn’t say anymore than previous years. I’m sure I’ll feel more comfortable this year than I did the first time at Albert Park.”