Jaime Alguersuari has admitted to wanting to move to Red Bull next year after Mark Webber’s contract expires.
On Monday, Red Bull announced it has signed up Sebastian Vettel, Adrian Newey and 50 other crucial team figures through 2014, but not Australian Webber whose deal runs out at the end of this season.
Meanwhile at Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso, drivers Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi are set to fight for both survival and stardom in 2011, with one expected to get the call to replace Webber and the other to be replaced by hotshoe Daniel Ricciardo.
Asked if the currently vacant 2012 seat at Red Bull is his goal, Alguersuari told El Mundo: "Of course that’s the first target.
"That is clear, very clear. Having a great car is the most important thing and Red Bull’s is the best," he added.
Monday’s Red Bull news created the impression that Webber’s tenure is racing towards an end, and the Australian hinted recently that he covets a move to Ferrari.
"Driving those red cars has always held that romantic attraction," Webber is quoted by the Herald Sun.