Red Bull has announced two reserve drivers for the 2010 F1 season.
They will be Australian Daniel Ricciardo and New Zealand’s Brendon Hartley.
Ricciardo impressed in the end-of-season rookies test at Jerez in December.
Hartley, meanwhile, briefly occupied the role of third driver for Red Bull and Toro Rosso last year, but was later replaced by Jaime Alguersuari who went on to make his F1 debut at the Hungaroring.
Ricciardo said:
It’s very exciting. It was an email I was hoping for since the test in December, but I wasn’t sure whether it would come at all. So, a big relief, but also very satisfying.
This will be a very good introduction to F1 – even though I won’t be driving the car, just to sit in on the briefings and do what the drivers do on a weekend is a good way to start learning. It’s all exciting and I’ll be busy, even though I’m not driving.
Daniel Ricciardo
With so few testing days before the start of the season, and Red Bull not even due to make it to the first test in Valencia, the pair will probably find themselves short on cockpit time.
Their role will most likely involve a lot of simulator work, PR duties, and the occasional straight-line aerodynamic test.
Image (C) Red Bull/Getty images
Terry Fabulous
26th January 2010, 9:21
Let me begin a really terrible argument by pointing out that Ricciardo will be quicker then Hartley because he is an Aussie and Hartley is a Kiwi.
Fire away!!!!
Terry Fabulous
26th January 2010, 9:22
Just kidding, it is wonderful to see two talented young lads from the Southern Lands making their mark in the big show.
Hope they both get starts.
Macca
26th January 2010, 13:13
From the small snipit of that interview, I have to say the Daniel Reccardo has a realy great atitude. He knows he probly wont get much time in the car but you can still sence how excited he is.
Just one question, does anyone know what catagorie these two will be driving in this year?
David
26th January 2010, 9:38
Well, I’m not sure that being a third driver is the better way to access formula 1. No tests, no dedicate sessions during GP weekends. It seems to me it is the better way to not touch a wheel for some long period.
George
26th January 2010, 10:02
Do they get to compete in other series? Otherwise I agree with you, it’s impossible to impress would-be imployers if all you do is sit at the back of the garage (especially if you look as miserable as Hartley usually does).
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
26th January 2010, 10:12
Yes I expect they’ll both be in junior formulae – probably Formula Renault 3.5, maybe GP2.
David
26th January 2010, 10:13
That makes sense.
I start to agree with Ricciardo happiness in the picture.
James_mc
28th January 2010, 0:10
He’s delighted because he knows that Algusuari will get the heave-ho mid-season!
He also appears to be indicating the number of drivers that Torro Rosso will be using this season….
KateDerby
26th January 2010, 10:20
They will compete as team-mates in the World Series by Renault for the Tech 1 team, as well as being reserve drivers.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
26th January 2010, 10:27
Excellent, thanks for that. That’ll be a team worth keeping an eye on!
Tim
26th January 2010, 10:51
Absolutely – just hope that their Red Bull duties don’t distract from either driver mounting a proper WSR campaign.
We Want Turbos
26th January 2010, 10:22
I was half expecting Hartley to get a torro rosso race seat with the way they rushed him through his superliscence.
HG
26th January 2010, 10:55
Go Hartley! :)
Dane
26th January 2010, 22:32
Go Daniel! :)
Aussie Racer
27th January 2010, 15:46
Go Webber!
M@07
26th January 2010, 12:53
Love the picture, is it me or do the Red Bull guys have alot of fun! Dont think you can join the team if you dont have a sense of humour, exhibit A: Mark and Sebs Christmas greetings videos.
Räikkönen need not apply;-)
Icthyes
26th January 2010, 15:15
This is why we need an unofficial third car championship, a sprint race after qualifying or something. These guys should be given their chance to show what they can do in F1 machinery.
TommyB
26th January 2010, 17:25
That’s a pretty cool idea actually!
three4three
26th January 2010, 18:39
Yep, great idea. It could take place on the Monday after the race with both quali and the race in one day (a shorter race with used engines) so wouldn’t cost much extra. Someone call Bernie!
TommyB
26th January 2010, 17:27
If Ricciardo gets a chance to drive in F1 this year, Hartley is going to be peeved. I think everyone expected him to be driving in F1 for Red Bull or STR already.
I don’t think the two will get much chance at all to drive an F1 car though, STR have said they want to get as much time with their young driver duo as possible and RBR have delayed their testing plan till Feb 10th.
K
26th January 2010, 21:49
Will Brendon Hartly be the first woman to score a whole championship point?….
I’ll get my coat……
AG
26th January 2010, 23:46
Awesome ! Great to see an Aussie and Kiwi in a good position to get a Red Bull seat in the near future.