Source: [
www.gpupdate.net]
Thursday 30 June 2011
Daniel Ricciardo has exclusively told GPUpdate.net that he will be joining Hispania Racing from this weekend’s British Grand Prix. The 21-year-old from Perth, Toro Rosso’s reserve driver, is tipped to be replacing Narain Karthikeyan.
The 2009 British Formula 3 Champion, Ricciardo is currently competing in the World Series by Renault and will continue to do so alongside his Hispania role. So far this season, he has impressed with Friday morning practice drives for Toro Rosso, trading places with either Sebastién Buemi or Jaime Alguersuari.
“I don’t know if it’s 100 percent but there’s definitively a very good chance of that happening,” Ricciardo told GPUpdate.net by telephone upon his arrival in Budapest, where he is competing in this weekend’s World Series by Renault rounds.
“I was informed and it could well be on the cards. At least from my side, I hope it’s going to go forward and it seemed pretty positive, so it looks like it could be quite cool.”
Ricciardo added that he should remain with HRT until the end of the season.
“I think that should be the plan, to see the season out, and I’ll also continue doing World Series,” he explained. “So it’s going to be a busy end to the year and I’m really, really excited. Hopefully I can get some experience and know what it’s all about.”
Although neither Hispania nor Toro Rosso have issued press releases, it is believed Karthikeyan is the driver who will be replaced at the Spanish team, but with the exception of the Indian Grand Prix due to contractual obligations.
Jenson drives it like he owns it; Lewis drives it like he stole it