​Ricciardo was a Red Bull reserve in 2011, during which he impressed during Friday practices at several Grands Prix. He was then “loaned” to HRT where he raced from the British Grand Prix onwards, and managed to do well with the more experienced Vitantonio Liuzzi racing beside him. For 2012, he secured one of two available seats at Toro Rosso, and has done well finishing both Grands Prix to date in the new championship.