Daniel Ricciardo will drive for Red Bull at Young Driver Test in what could be considered an audition for next season’s vacant seat with Milton Keynes-based team.
Veteran Australian Mark Webber has confirmed he will leave Red Bull at the end of the current season and Christian Horner has previously revealed Ricciardo is under consideration to partner Sebastian Vettel in 2014.
Toro Rosso is the sister team to Red Bull and Horner revealed both Ricciardo and current team-mate Jean-Eric Vergne are possibilities to replace Webber.
Lotus star Kimi Raikkonen was the other driver named by Horner and with the Finn out of contract at the end of this season, he had been mooted as the most likely candidate to join Red Bull.
Raikkonen also revealed he had held “small talks” with Red Bull but the decision to send Ricciardo out at Silverstone suggests he is in pole position to replace compatriot Webber next season.
The 24-year-old has managed 11 points for Toro Rosso this season and his best result to date in Formula 1 is a seventh-place finish in China this year.
Frenchman Vergne, 23, has acquired two more points than Ricciardo and came in sixth in Canada, but the fact he has retired in four of the nine races this season could be a cause for concern for Red Bull as they seek Webber’s replacement.
Vettel, Webber and youngsters Antonio Felix da Costa and Carlos Sainz Junior will also drive for Red Bull in the test at Silverstone.
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