The pair will alternate on their reserve duties through the year, working closely with the Red Bull and Scuderia Toro Rosso teams, sitting in on team meetings, take part in off-track activities and prepare to race should they be called up.

Ricciardo said that he wasn't sure if he was going to secure the role.

"It's very exciting. It was an email I was hoping for since the test in December, but I wasn't sure whether it would come at all. So, a big relief, but also very satisfying," he said.

More news here ln Sky Sports... SKY SPORTS - Formula 1 - News - Red Bull

"This will be a very good introduction to F1 - even though I won't be driving the car, just to sit in on the briefings and do what the drivers do on a weekend is a good way to start learning. It's all exciting and I'll be busy, even though I'm not driving,"

Recently retired Red Bull driver David Coulthard filled the reserve role in the team last year.

Both Ricciardo, 20, and Hartley, 20, have been a part of the Red Bull young driver program for a number of years.

The pair was two of the outstanding participants in December's rookie F1 tests at Jerez, Spain, where Riccirado was the fastest of all testers from various teams.

Australian Ricciardo won the prestigious British Formula 3 title last year.

In other Red Bull Racing news, the new team's new car - the RB6 - will be unveiled in Spain on Wednesday, February 10

Daniel Ricciardo won the British F3 title and marked himself as a young man to watch in the future

Other news on Daniel Ricciardo

Ricciardo sets the years fastest time at Jerez (F1-live.com)

Herald Sun - Daniel earns F1 Audition

Daniel Riccirado impresses in Debut Formula 1 Test - download .pdf

Author: SpeedCafe © www.speedcafe.com.au