Ricciardo is a candidate for Red Bull seat
2 August, 2011
Sebastien Buemi, Daneil Ricciardo and Jaime Alguersuari
Aug.2 (GMM) It is Red Bull’s “intention” to promote their young Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo through the energy drink company’s Formula 1 ranks.
That is the claim of Dr Helmut Marko, the outfit’s driver manager who in Hungary revealed that Mark Webber will “probably” retire and be replaced by “one of our juniors” beyond 2012.
The other candidates are Red Bull junior team Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari, amid reports Ricciardo travelled recently to Faenza for a seat fitting.
Asked by Australian broadcaster One if HRT newcomer Ricciardo is a candidate for one of the seats next year, Marko admitted: “If he is doing well, the intention is there, yes.”
Budapest was 22-year-old Ricciardo’s third grand prix, and he was closer to the pace of his teammate, the formerly Red Bull-backed Vitantonio Liuzzi.
“I hope there is a bit more to come because I’m close to Tonio on raw pace in qualifying but still not close enough, and definitely not a bit ahead, which of course is where I’d like to be,” he said.
Related posts:
- Ricciardo knows that Red Bull expect of him
- Red Bull say Raikkonen not a candidate
- Red Bull to keep tabs on Ricciardo progress
- Ricciardo set for Toro Rosso race seat
- Ricciardo stakes claim for 2011 F1 seat
F1man, I don’t think Webber would ever accept such a deal. You’d have to shoot him first ?.
I would not be surprised if there will be small adjustment between the two RedBull teams. Making Webber (post 2012) their number 1 driver (in Torro Rosso) and increase their game and at the same time get two promising stars to join, one in Red Bull and one in Torro Rosso and have Vettel and Webber be their mentors. Thats what i think is a good thing.