Ricciardo hoping Marko finds space for 2011 debut

Amid intense speculation about his future, Daniel Ricciardo has returned to his native Australia unsure if he is on the cusp of his formula one debut.

After the 21-year-old so impressed during the young drivers test at the wheel of the title-winning RB6 in Abu Dhabi, reports have linked him with Sebastien Buemi’s seat at the Red Bull junior team Toro Rosso for 2011.

Less likely are places at the energy drink company’s main team, or Lotus — the new Malaysian outfit set to use a Red Bull gearbox in 2011.

Ricciardo told F1’s official website: "At the moment I have nothing to tell."

He says his future is in the hands of Dr Helmut Marko, the head of Red Bull’s driver programme who in Abu Dhabi stood on the podium with Sebastian Vettel, his proudest boast.

"I am on standby, but that feels alright with me," said Ricciardo, Red Bull’s reserve driver in 2010 and second in the Renault World Series.

"It is up to Helmut. I only can wait and hope that he finds me a place for 2011," he added.

Ricciardo said that even though the F1 world was impressed with his pace at the Abu Dhabi test, the famously stoical Marko is harder to please.

"He didn’t say Wow, you were faster than Sebastian and Mark, he just said Well done," the Australian smiled.