Oct.28 (GMM) He is hopeful, but Jean-Eric Vergne insists he is still not sure if he will make his grand prix debut with Toro Rosso next year.

With his World Series season now concluded, the reigning British F3 champion recently began a new role as the Faenza based team's Friday practice driver.

The heavily Red Bull-backed youngster is sitting out India because the circuit is new, but will be back in action in Abu Dhabi and Brazil next month.

Frenchman Vergne, 21, said recently he expects to replace either Jaime Alguersuari or Sebastien Buemi in 2012.

Before that, he will drive Red Bull's title-winning car throughout the Abu Dhabi young driver test.

In France this weekend, he now tells the weekly Le Nouvel Observateur: "I must concentrate on my work, not paying attention to what is being said.

"Anyway, I don't know anything about next season yet. The decision will be taken after Brazil," said Vergne. "There is still time."

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