Helmut Marko has admitted his plan is to see Daniel Ricciardo with a full race seat in formula one "no later than 2012".
Red Bull-backed Australian Ricciardo, 21, has been placed for the 2011 season with Toro Rosso and will drive on the Friday mornings at grands prix.
His placement is seen as putting strong pressure on the Faenza based team’s regular drivers Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari.
Indeed, Marko did not categorically rule out a 2011 race debut for Ricciardo during an interview with German-language motorsport-total.com.
"It all depends on the parties involved," said Red Bull’s driver programme manager Marko, clearly referring to Buemi and Alguersuari.
"The plan is to see him in a race cockpit in 2012 at the latest," added the Austrian.