• Toro Rosso news

Marko keen to see Ricciardo in F1

ESPNF1 Staff
January 19, 2011 « Fauzy secures Renault reserve drive | »
Daniel Ricciardo has impressed during young driver tests in F1 © Sutton Images
Enlarge

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko is keen to fast-track Australian Daniel Ricciardo into Formula One by "2012 at the latest".

Ricciardo is Toro Rosso's reserve driver and will take part in Friday practice sessions at grands prix this year. He has also just signed a deal to stay in the Formula Renault 3.5 series, after narrowly missing out on the 2010 title to Mikhail Aleshin.

His most obvious route into F1 would be with Toro Rosso, but Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari currently occupy the two race seats. Nevertheless, Marko did not rule out a 2011 race debut for the 21-year-old Australian during an interview with German-language motorsport-total.com.

"It all depends on the parties involved," said Red Bull's driver programme manager Marko, clearly referring to Buemi and Alguersuari. "The plan is to see him in a race cockpit in 2012 at the latest."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
ESPN Staff Close