Toro Rosso has given a strong hint Kiwi Brendon Hartley will drive for the team in the 2018 season.
Team principal Franz Tost says both Hartley and fellow rookie Pierre Gasly are likely to be retained as Red Bull-owned Toro Rosso's Formula 1 line-up next season.
Hartley made his Formula 1 debut last week at the US Grand Prix and finished 13th.
"We want to test them for the rest of the season because there is a high possibility that this will be the driver line-up for 2018," says Tost.
- Brendon Hartley troubled by engine issues during opening two practice sessions at Mexican Grand Prix
"Both are Red Bull drivers, both are high-skilled drivers, fast drivers and we want to test them for the rest of the season because there is a high possibility that this will be the driver line-up for 2018.
"Brendon is a very high-skilled driver, very committed, passionate for motorsport. If we give him a competitive car he will be there and he will also fight in Formula 1 for success.
"And I hope that especially next year we will bring together a competitive package that he can also fight for victories and good positions."
Earlier in the week team manager Graham Watson told Newshub Hartley would drive with the team for the remainder of the season.
With Hartley and Gasly set to race the remainder of the season, it means Russian Daniil Kvyat will no longer be with the team.
He was asked what the future holds for Kvyat.
"He is not anymore with Red Bull, therefore, he is free to decide whatever he wants to do," Tost said.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was also full of praise towards the Kiwi.
"That is a guy who started off life on the junior programme, he got dropped early on in his career, there was no remorse, no "poor me" or "haven't I been badly treated". He thanked Red Bull for the opportunity and endeavoured to stay in touch.
"He had nothing else to race. He went back to racing Minis, to racing historic Formula 1 cars. Anything he could get his hands on, he raced. And he showed a passion and a commitment to keep doing what he believed in and himself as a race car driver."
During Saturday's (NZ time) two practice sessions, Hartley finished 18th and 13th respectively after his car was hampered by an engine issue.
There is an additional practice session on Sunday morning before qualifying begins at 7am (NZ time).
Newshub.
