Ricciardo claimed his maiden Formula One victory by taking out a dramatic race in Montreal a fortnight ago - joining fellow Australians Sir Jack Brabham, Alan Jones and Mark Webber as winners on the circuit.
While it continued Ricciardo's stellar debut season, it left star team-mate Vettel still searching for his first win heading into this weekend's Austrian GP.
The four-time world champion has two podium finishes thus far, having crossed the line in third position in Canada, but Ricciardo is adamant the German will be fired up for Sunday's main race at the Red Bull Ring - a track purchased by team owner Dietrich Mateschitz in 2004.
"He showed a lot of respect and good sportsmanship after the race," the 24-year-old said.
"Obviously he would have loved to have been on the top step but as I said, he showed that he was happy for me, that I got it.
"Yeah, it's good. I think it's just going to make him more motivated so I obviously can't rest now, I can't get too complacent, keep pushing and hopefully it works well for both of us, get both of us further up the grid."
Ricciardo added on his maiden GP win: "It's encouraged everyone to want more of it.
"I saw the team on the pit wall when I crossed the line and it was as if it was their first win again in Formula One. It was refreshing, so the motivation is there.