Jun.30 (GMM) Daniel Ricciardo is poised to make his formula one race debut at Silverstone next weekend.

Australian media reports say the 21-year-old, backed strongly by Red Bull and until now the Friday driver at Toro Rosso, will replace HRT regular Narain Karthikeyan at Silverstone.

The Spanish team has been contacted for comment.

Ricciardo, who turns 22 on Friday, had been widely tipped to debut at junior team Toro Rosso this season but both Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi have performed strongly enough to keep their race seats so far.

Just days ago, Red Bull driver manager Helmut Marko hinted that Ricciardo is close to joining the grid.

"In the simulator and in practice, his results are very good, but we need to see what he can do in the race," said the Austrian.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version