Buemi calm about Toro Rosso future

Toro Rosso chiefs have made no secret of the fact that both Buemi and team-mate Jaime Alguersuari need to lift their game this year if they are to keep their seats - with Ricciardo ready to step in if the outfit feels there is a good opportunity for him.

But despite the stress that Ricciardo's presence brings, Buemi insists that he feels his situation is firmly under control.

"I'm calm, because regardless of results I've always done my maximum, and compared to my team-mate I've never done badly," he said in an interview with Italian magazine Autosprint.

"Also last year, despite not being the easiest for me, in the end I scored more than him and overall I did better than him in qualifying too.

"It's clear that at the end of last season I had some problems, I wasn't satisfied with my work, but I've worked hard over the winter and 2011 has started well. Red Bull gives young drivers a chance to get into F1, so you always know that besides you there are other guys that try to show their abilities and aim to drive for Red Bull. If you give up, it's over for you."

Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost said earlier this year that rather than his drivers feel their positions in F1 are under threat, both Buemi and Alguersuari should see the great opportunity they have - with the possibility of a vacancy at Red Bull Racing opening up for 2012 if Mark Webber chooses not to continue with the team.

Speaking about his hopes of landing a Red Bull Racing seat, Buemi said: "These are rumours. But maybe, who knows? These rumours are not about me, it's about stuff still far off.

"It's not up to me whether Webber carries on or not. From my point of view I know that if I do my maximum and get important results, then my value can increase and I can have a chance. I focus on this. The rest is just gossip."