Ricciardo is the 'peasants' world champion!

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Daniel Ricciardo has labeled himself the "peasants' world champion following his "best-of-the-rest" third place finish in the drivers' championship behind Mercedes' unshakable pair.

Given the German manufacturer's domination and Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton's ruling, the smiling Aussie, who did win in Malaysia this year, jokingly suggested that he should be the recipient of a second title.

"There should be a separate title in this V6 era for 'best of the rest'," he told ESPN last weekend.

"I could be world champion of the rest ... the peasants' world champion!"

"If I didn't have a victory, like if Malaysia didn't happen, then I would look back and say 'Sure, I should have maybe been a multiple race winner this year'.

"But because I got that victory I'm not going to say 'Oh it could have been better, I could have had two or three'."

"I got the pole [in Monaco], which I hadn't had before, and obviously got back on the top step so for me that's awesome. And peasant's champion, so it's been solid."

If anything, Ricciardo was surprised by Red Bull's performance level given the team's expectation at the outset. He was therefore happy to be in a position to fight for an outright win.

"We expected to be fighting in the midfield in the first handful of races this year and we came out with some fourths.

"Then what was probably going to be a second in China - that was the third race of the year - we had the puncture and whatever but it was looking really good.

"We were like, alright, and it sort of got better so that was really cool."

"The win in Malaysia was epic, the pole in Monaco was in a way my highlight. I obviously didn't tell people but I put a lot of pressure on myself to go there that weekend and execute it.

"I really believed I could, so for me to do that lap was kind of a relief because I did put a bit of pressure on myself. So that was cool."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.