I've now read that Vergne is among the favourites for a full-time Toro Rosso drive next year, whilst Ricciardo's future is in doubt:
http://www.foxsports.com.au/motor-sport ... 6202017912Formula One hopeful Jean-Eric Vergne has claimed he "would do no worse than Webber" if given a drive with the Red Bull squad in 2013.
The 2011 F1 season so far in pictures
Vettel's Run to the Championship
Mark Webber has had the best point-scoring season of his career, but has failed to win a race as teammate Sebastian Vettel dominated the 2011 Formula One season.
Fellow Aussie Daniel Ricciardo was test driving for Toro Rosso in Friday practice before he was elevated to a race drive with Hispania Racing Team.
Since then, Vergne has tested on Fridays and says he is now in the box seat for the next Red Bull/Toro Rosso race drive.
"When I came back [from Yas Marina] I saw the comments of engineering boss Ian Morgan and they were very positive, I cannot hide it," Vergne told Le Nouvel Observateur.
"I know that the top teams are cautious of young drivers; the only one that dared to go with a young guy recently was McLaren with Hamilton, and it worked.
"We have had a similar preparation; I did three days of testing and physically had no problems. So I think if I was put in the Red Bull, I would do no worse than Webber.
“But I know that the road is still long and where I go next is Brazil. This is my last practice session with Toro Rosso before I know what I will be doing next season."
Ricciardo's future with HRT faces a potential hurdle with the announcement that Spaniard Pedro De la Rosa will race for the Spanish F1 team in 2012 and 2013.
No announcement has yet been made regarding the future of Ricciardo or his teammate Vitantonio Liuzzi.
Of course I regard this as pot stirring. But it looks like Brazil will be Liuzzi's last race - I can't see him possibly moving forward in the field. Unless of course, Liuzzi is signed, and then we have the same issues at Toro Rosso again next year with the driver positions getting clogged.
And if Buemi wins in Brazil...

