• Toro Rosso news

Ricciardo and Vergne awaiting 2013 confirmation

Daniel Ricciardo: "Dr Marko keeps us on a tight leash so we wait for his command" © Sutton Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• Drivers:
• Daniel Ricciardo
• |
• Jean-Éric Vergne

• Teams:
• Toro Rosso

Daniel Ricciardo has revealed that he and Jean-Eric Vergne have yet to have their futures with Toro Rosso confirmed for 2013.

Both drivers joined the team at the start of this season as replacements for Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastian Buemi. At the time some criticism was levelled at Red Bull for ousting Alguersuari and Buemi too soon, and while it seems unlikely that either of this year's drivers would be replaced, Ricciardo admitted he was still not certain of his future.

"No confirmation but not really any doubts either to be honest," Ricciardo said when asked by ESPN about 2013. "Nothing's been signed on paper but we've been involved with some brief discussions on next year and what [technical director] James [Key] is hoping to achieve and what the team is looking for. So I guess being involved with these discussions is a positive and to be honest I think we definitely deserve another season.

"I think the team sees that as well, and I think generally most of the time if there's someone to blame they're blaming the package more than us. Sometimes we're like 'You can blame us if you want!' but I think they see that the car hasn't been the strongest this year and they see that with a stronger package we can definitely deliver some strong results."

Ricciardo also revealed that there was only a contract option for 2013 when both he and Vergne signed with Toro Rosso.

"It's pretty much year-by-year with Red Bull; Dr [Helmut] Marko keeps us on a tight leash so we wait for his command. As I said there's nothing really which tells me we won't, but obviously until pen's on paper I'm not going to get too excited."

When asked if he knew how the 2013 car was progressing, Ricciardo replied: "Little bits and pieces.

"James was absent [in India] as he was in Korea, obviously getting familiar with the team and everyone at the factory but pushing on for next year's car. So there's some promising signs, everyone seems optimistic about it. I think they know figures and numbers what to achieve or they know what they're aiming for, which is good. They seem to have a clear target in mind and at least they can work towards that and push for those numbers, but he definitely seems anxious for a few good things next year."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.