Ricciardo Could Make F1 Debut in 2011

Despite intense speculation that Sebastien Buemi might be losing his seat with Scuderia Toro Rosso prior to the 2011 Formula 1 campaign, it's close to 100 percent that the Swiss racer will continue to team up with Jaime Alguersuari this season. However, that situation may change depending on his or his teammate's form throughout the year.

According to Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko – the right hand of Red Bull and STR owner Dietrich Mateschitz – Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo could make his racing debut in 2011. For the time being, the 21-year old has only been confirmed for the Friday driver role with the Faenza based team.

Having impressed the entire audience at the Abu Dhabi rookie test last November, Ricciardo was at some point regarded as top contender for a race seat with STR in 2011. Eventually, he had to settle for the 3rd driver role, but what this move does is create pressure for Buemi and Alguersuari to succeed. In case one of them fails to live up to the challenge, Ricciardo may have his big break from as early as this season.

“It all depends on the parties involved,” said Marko in a recent interview with German-language motorsport-total.com, hinting that it all depends on the current STR drivers if Ricciardo will see any Sunday track time this year. “The plan is to see him in a race cockpit in 2012 at the latest,” he added.

2012 will probably come with a lot of changes in terms of driving lineups at Red Bull and Scuderia Toro Rosso, since Mark Webber will probably leave an open spot at Milton Keynes (his contract with the team expires at the end of 2011). In case the Aussie doesn't extend his deal with Red Bull, that open seat may go to one of the STR drivers, while Ricciardo would get a clear road to a full-time F1 debut.