A stunning Formula 1 rookie season has helped Daniel Ricciardo become Australia’s No.1 internet mentioned athlete of the year.
Ricciardo beat out the nation’s most recognisable sporting names to top online analytics firm Meltwater News’ list of most buzz worthy athletes of 2014.
Meltwater News compiled statistics between January 1 and December 5 from some 250,000 global news and blog sources, finding published Ricciardo content 208,687 times.
The 25-year-old finished the F1 season in third place in the drivers’ championship behind Mercedes pair Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, stunning the racing world with a stellar debut season. On the back of Grand Prix wins in Canada, Hungary and Belgium, and a further five podium finishes, Ricciardo still managed to more than double a dubious second place finisher- Australian-born NBA gun Kyrie Irving.
Despite being a member of Team USA at this year’s FIBA World Cup in Spain, Irving came in at No.2 with 102,846 mentions while Australian Test captain Michael Clarke managed next best with 79,000 posts.
Nick Kygrios and Adam Scott rounded out the top five with more than 50,000 mentions each while Kurtley Beale slid in ahead of the late Phillip Hughes and fast bowler Mitchell Johnson.
Rounding out the top ten are former US Open winner Sam Stosur and golfer Jason Day.
Sydney Swans recruit Lance Franklin polled 42,605 mentions, good for 11th spot, while the NRL’s Jonathon Thurston clocked 40,840.
Photos: Getty Images.
