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Ricciardo reveals Silverstone debut with HRT

ESPNF1 Staff
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Daniel Ricciardo: © Sutton Images
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Toro Rosso test driver Daniel Ricciardo looks set to replace Narain Karthikeyan at HRT for next weekend's British Grand Prix.

The team has yet to confirm the story but Ricciardo told the Herald Sun on Thursday: "It's pretty, pretty exciting. It's awesome, just awesome. To make the first one at Silverstone, it's great. It's a circuit I know well and it's just up the road from my second home in Britain."

Asked by ESPNF1 if there was any truth to the story, an HRT spokeswoman said: "I can only say that Ricciardo is Toro Rosso's third driver. If we have something to say, we'll release an official statement."

The stories started emerging in Ricciardo's home country of Australia on Thursday, and according to the Herald Sun he was at Heathrow airport waiting for a flight to his next race in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series when he was told.

As the leading light in Red Bull's junior team, Ricciardo has been groomed through the motorsport ranks and has been racing in Formula Renault 3.5 as well as testing for Toro Rosso during Friday morning practice sessions this year. The Herald Sun said Ricciardo is being loaned by Red Bull to Hispania.

Karthikeyan is reportedly making way for Ricciardo after eight races at the team this season - his first in Formula One since 2005.

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