Ricciardo close to F1

Daniel Ricciardo scored big points this week at Jerez, during F1 testing reserved for young drivers. The Australian driver, British F3 champion, could even arrive in F1 as early as the 2010 season.

Published on 05/12/2009 à 12:42

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Daniel Ricciardo, in three days of tests aboard the car Red Bull, has just given a huge boost to his career. The Australian driver, winner of the championship F3 British this season, has placed itself at the top of the hopes of the energy drink brand. Jaime Alguersuari still not confirmed at Toro Rosso for 2010, all hopes are allowed for the Australian. Especially since Ricciardo has been impressive this week, achieving superb times, particularly on Thursday. The Australian thus achieved the best time in Jerez, by far.

From a personal point of view, the winner of the Formula Renault 2.0 WEC in 2008 was extremely satisfied with his Andalusian week. “ These three days were a great experience for me, confirmed Ricciardo after the Jerez tests. I must thank Red Bull for giving me this opportunity, which strengthens my determination to one day achieve Formula 1. I know it was just a try, but seeing my name at the top of the timesheet today (Thursday) was something really special. » Jaime Alguersuari, who had shown his annoyance at not being able to be in Jerez to take part in these tests (having played too many F1 GPs to be there), can now fear for his seat.

However, Daniel Ricciardo has already been confirmed for the 2010 Formula Renault 3.5 Series season. He must team up, at Tech 1 Racing, with Brendon Hartley, another member of the Red Bull Junior Team. But, if Ricciardo was called upon to replace Alguersuari in F1, he could see another Red Bull driver take his seat within the Toulouse team.

Mirko Bortolotti, who was to leave the Red Bull fold, should finally see his contract renewed. Winner of Italian F3 in 2008, Bortolotti finished in a good fourth place in Formula 2 this season, before taking part in the Jerez test with Toro Rosso, the sister team of Red Bull Racing. The transalpine driver could thus join the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, in the event that Daniel Ricciardo is called up to the highest level of single-seaters. Red Bull and Helmut Markko are expected to make their decision in the coming weeks.