By alley - Dec 3, 2016, 1:45 PM ET

F1: Mercedes seat an 'amazing Christmas present' - Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo has described the Mercedes seat vacated by the retiring Nico Rosberg as "an amazing Christmas present" for one driver on the grid.

Rosberg announced his retirement from F1 with immediate effect on Friday, with the 2016 world champion saying he is not willing to make the same sacrifices to try and defend his title. Mercedes has won 51 out of 59 races over the past three seasons, and Ricciardo says whichever driver is signed as Lewis Hamilton's teammate in 2017 will be getting a huge opportunity to fight for the championship next season.

"I think the big news is obviously Nico announcing his retirement," Ricciardo said. "That was pretty unexpected, I guess, but I tell you he has given someone an amazing Christmas present, so whoever gets that seat I hope they appreciate what they're getting. But good on him for having the nuts to say 'that's enough.' He obviously achieved what he wanted, so fair play."

Asked if he was shocked by Rosberg's decision, which was announced ahead of the FIA prize-giving gala in Vienna, Ricciardo replied: "I got a message saying, 'Nico has retired' and I was like, 'Which Nico?!'

"I was surprised, for sure. I wouldn't say I expected it. I can understand it but sure it's not an easy decision to make. There's pros and cons. The pro is I guess you go out as a champion but the con is you probably miss a pretty big payday next year!"

Ricciardo (pictured at left, above, with Rosberg) was present in Vienna to collect his trophy for finishing third in the drivers' championship, and he says he is pleased with his consistency having finished in the same position in 2014.

"It's OK, it is what it is. I'm for sure happy to at least be up there – realistically over the last three years that's sort of the best that any of us other ones could do. Sure we could steal a few victories here and there but realistically the fight for a title has obviously been hard to take away from Lewis and Nico.

"So, I think to get two out of the three is nice, to come back this year with a victory was good. The pole in Monaco was great and just to get closer again – to fight for more podiums – was satisfying.

"I don't know, hopefully I'm not best of the rest forever. It's sort of like seconds – someone kisses a girl and then you're the guy who kisses her 20 minutes later!"