Ricciardo lands Toro Rosso reserve role
Credit: PlanetF1.com (www.planetf1.com)
Toro Rosso have named young Australian Daniel Ricciardo as the team's third and reserve driver for the 2011 Formula One season.
The 21-year-old was hugely impressive when testing for sister outfit Red Bull Racing at the recent young drivers' tests in Abu Dhabi, topping the timesheets on both days for the new Constructors' Champions.
Ricciardo, a product of the Red Bull Junior Programme, will drive for Toro Rosso in the opening free practice session at every race next season, replacing regular drivers Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi on an alternating basis.
Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost said: "When our team was created, its stated aim was to bring on young drivers from the Red Bull Junior Programme, so Daniel's appointment as our third driver is an obvious one.
"Although Daniel has done some F1 testing already, running on Fridays at the grands prix will give him a valuable insight into the additional pressures of doing it for real during a race weekend."
Ricciardo, who came second in the Formula Renault 3.5 series this year having claimed victory in the 2009 British Formula 3 Championship, believes Friday's announcement is a key step towards his goal of earning a full-time F1 drive.
"I am really excited at the prospect of driving for Scuderia Toro Rosso in the Free Practice sessions at the grands prix next year, so I have to say thanks to Red Bull for this great opportunity," he said.
"My main priority for 2011 is to win the Formula Renault 3.5 championship, but my ultimate aim is to be a full-time Formula 1 driver and this new role has to be the best step towards achieving that ambition."
Credit: PlanetF1.com (www.planetf1.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment