In mixed news for Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull has extended his contract for another 12 months. That’s a good show of faith in the young Aussie, but Ricciardo himself has revealed a drive with Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso is unlikely in 2012.
“At the moment it seems like Toro Rosso are going to stay with who they’ve got,” Ricciardo said.
“It wasn’t put down 100 per cent, but it was the wording I was making out.
“There’s a good chance if I’m on the grid next year it’s going to be with another non-Red Bull outfit, but I guess the good news is I’m still contracted by Red Bull. They’ve agreed to continue with me.”
It would seem Ricciardo’s best hope is to score a drive with Caterham. The team formerly known as Team Lotus has partnership agreement with Red Bull Technologies, which could provide a link for Ricciardo to join them should rumours of Jarno Trulli’s exit prove correct.
“I would like to say there’s a chance, but at least for me that’s probably all it is for now, just a chance,” Ricciardo said.
“It would be a step up from this year, so it’s not really a bad thing.
“If (Heikki) Kovalainen was to be my teammate, it’s someone very good to measure up to. He’s won a grand prix before and he’s smashed Trulli this year.”
Ricciardo is chuffed to have made his F1 debut this year, but wants to achieve much more.
“I’ve got there now, but I’m not happy just to settle just for that. I want to keep going forward and I believe I can,” he said.
[Source: The West Australian]