The Toro Rosso line-up will be known by the end of the year

The transfer season is open, and rumors about the future of various drivers are rampant. At Toro Rosso, Buemi and Alguersuari are both eyeing Mark Webber’s seat at Red Bull Racing but are keeping an eye on Daniel Ricciardo’s performances, who might take one of their places next season.

This situation puts some pressure on the shoulders of both drivers. At the beginning of the season, Sébastien Buemi seemed to be ahead of his teammate, but for the past three Grand Prix, it’s the Spaniard who has been the fastest, while Daniel Ricciardo is now a full-time driver at HRT where he has to prove himself.

Their respective performances will determine their future within the Red Bull galaxy. For it is indeed Red Bull that will decide who will be behind the wheel of the next Toro Rosso single-seater. “As for what our pair of drivers will be in F1 from 2012, I don’t know yet. It will be decided by Red Bull at the end of the year,” declares Franz Tost to Autosport.

The boss of Toro Rosso believes that Ricciardo’s appointment is a good thing for the young Australian driver. Participating in the tests is not the same as doing a full race weekend, so he will be much better prepared for next year.

With Webber wanting to stay at Red Bull, Buemi and Alguersuari hoping either to take the Australian’s place or remain one more year with Toro Rosso, and Ricciardo knocking on the door of the small Italian team, there are many jostling in the Red Bull camp.