Ricciardo's F1 Future Linked with Webber's Retirement

It's been a while since Australia has had two drivers on the Formula 1 grid, and from the looks of it that might happen next year. However, there are some rumors circulating in the media according to which STR's new reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo might not get to enjoy racing track time alongside countryman Mark Webber very soon.

And it won't be because Ricciardo, already highly appreciated by Red Bull's advisor Helmut Marko, won't be making his debut in F1 very soon, but because Webber might retire from the sport at the end of this season.

Speculation is that the 34-year old Red Bull racer will leave the Austrian team at the end of this season, leaving one space open for one of the current STR drivers. Once either Jaime Alguersuari or Sebastien Buemi advance to RBR, the vacancy left would be taken by Ricciardo.

“This Friday contract is already like a gift from heaven and the second best thing to being an F1 driver,” admitted Ricciardo on Friday, after spending some time barbecuing sausages for the media alongside Webber. “It's an obvious step forward for me. It's premature to speculate about what Mark is going to do.”

In the past few weeks, Alguersuari has been one of the most vocal drivers in the STR lineup to voice his intentions to replace Webber at Red Bull in 2012. On the other hand, the Australian told the media in early 2011 that, should the Austrian team release him of his contract, he would likely retire, the only thing that could change his mind being an offer from Ferrari.

Back to Ricciardo though, the 21-year old impressed everyone during last year's Abu Dhabi Rookie Testing and is considered one of the best “products” of Red Bull's Young Drivers Development Programme. Marko actually hinted that if one of the two STR driver won't perform as expected of them in 2011 – that reference was actually to Buemi – Ricciardo may be asked to replace him from as early as this season.

“I am very happy with the situation now but if something did arise then I would be ready to step up,” said the Australian.

Additionally, he admitted that he is keeping in touch with Webber these days, as he looks up to his 34-year old countryman in F1.

“A long time ago he gave me his mobile number. Mark himself had a rocky road to the top of F1 and he is definitely trying to help so that I avoid some of his difficulties,” he added.