Daniel Ricciardo took the first and third fastest times in Silverstone testing yesterday, ahead of fellow Toro Rosso tester Carlos Sainz, Jr.

Interestingly, his top time was not in the championship-leading Red Bull RB9. Rather, he drove his familiar Red Bull sister car to a fastest lap of 1:32.972. In the RB9, he clocked a 1:33.016, but not before a minor exit into the gravel trap early in the session.

Splitting his times was Sainz in the other Toro Rosso, with a time of 1:33.187.

Davide Valsecchi came in fourth in the Lotus E21 with a time of 1:33.554.

“It was good today but very busy, so it’s still a bit of a blur,” Ricciardo said. “I did quite a few laps this afternoon, so I’m happy with that. I had a small off but otherwise it was a trouble-free day. The off was my mistake, I just lost the rear on the entry. It was a good opportunity to get behind the wheel and experience two different beasts today. In terms of the inevitable speculation, I think this test is something for Red Bull to look at, but there’s still the rest of the season with Toro Rosso to do, so I’ll switch my focus back to that and won’t get too caught up in any rumours.”

The Young Drivers’/Pirelli tests at the British circuit are largely considered to be Ricciardo’s audition for the open Red Bull seat next year. Last month Mark Webber announced he will be leaving F1 to become a Porsche factory LMP1 driver.

Competition for the coveted seat alongside three-time defending champion Sebastian Vettel is rumored to be open to either Ricciardo or Lotus driver and 2007 Champion Kimi Raikkonen. With Toro Rosso, Ricciardo sits 14th in the standings with 11 points, while Raikkonen sits third with 116.

Unofficial Thursday test times from Silverstone:
1. Daniel Ricciardo, Toro Rosso, 1:32.972, 48 laps
2. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso, 1:33.016, 39 laps
3. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, 1:33.187, 59 laps
4. Davide Valsecchi, Lotus, 1:33.554, 91 laps
5. Oliver Turvey, McLaren, 1:33.864, 97 laps
6. James Calado, Force India, 1:33.957, 47 laps
7. Antonio Felix da Costa, Red Bull, 1:33.958, 19 laps
8. Davide Rigon, Ferrari, 1:34.053, 97 laps
9. Pastor Maldonado, Williams, 1:34.116, 71 laps
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, 1:34.224, 52 laps
11. Daniel Juncadella, Williams, 1:34.631, 33 laps
12. Robin Frijns, Sauber, 1:34.731, 17 laps
13. Will Stevens, Caterham, 1:36.082, 98 laps
14. Paul di Resta, Force India, 1:36.356, 41 laps
15. Rodolfo Gonzalez, Marussia, 1:37.949, 92 laps