Published: 01/07/11, 11:57AM
Daniel Ricciardo says he feels “ready” to make his Formula 1 race debut with Hispania at next week’s British Grand Prix after his loan switch was confirmed by the Spanish team.
Toro Rosso’s Australian Friday driver Ricciardo, who turned 22 on Friday, will be behind the wheel of Hispania’s car at Silverstone after the tail-end squad agreed a “collaboration deal” with Red Bull give the young driver the platform to make his race debut.
Ricciardo, who has been an ever-present at all eight grands prix so far this season having competed in all first practice sessions with Toro Rosso, is naturally thrilled with getting the opportunity to race.
“It’s a dream come true for me – for the first time on an F1 starting grid!” he said.
“I had to pinch myself a couple of times to be sure that it’s real. I’m excited and can hardly wait to drive at Silverstone. It’s a new challenge, a new experience, a new team, but I’m ready and will give of my best in any event".
Although Hispanis’s press statement simply said that Ricciardo would be joining existing race drivers Tonio Liuzzi and Narain Karthikeyan on their driver roster, it is believed it will be the latter who makes way for the STR youngster from Silverstone.
Hispania owner and chairman José Ramón Carabante is proud his squad have been entrusted to oversee Red Bull protégé Ricciardo’s early F1 steps and hopes the arrangement can open further opportunities in the future.
“This agreement is a reward for all the hard work Hispania Racing has shown since we started in Formula 1 last year. We’re proud that the Formula 1 world champion team has trusted us in their effort of developing their drivers.
“Let’s hope that this is just the start of a fruitful relationship”.
Credit: ITV (www.itv.com)
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