When you forget about the soap opera at the very front of the Formula 1 grid last season, the best of the rest was one ever-smiling Australian.

Daniel Ricciardo had a breakout year in his first year with Red Bull, completely out-performing world champion team-mate Sebastian Vettel and taking three race wins in the process.

But is the Australian a flash in the pan or a genuine challenger for years to come? And is the permanent smile deflecting from his race craft?

I was joined on Newstalk's Inside F1 by Richard Bailey, editor of Australia's FIA-accredited RF1 website to talk about the true extent of Ricciardo's ability, how he is perceived in his home country in comparison to Mark Webber and whether being the de-facto No 1 at Red Bull this season he is ready to carry on his shoulders.

Listen to the interview via the podcast player below: