New Toro Rosso driver Daniel Ricciardo says it is too early to talk about succeeding Mark Webber at Red Bull.
The 22-year-old Australian is one of two new drivers at the Red Bull feeder team this season, and has been touted as a long-term replacement for Webber, should his fellow Australian call it quits at the end of the year.
But Ricciardo, who drove in 11 races for the Hispania team in last year's Formula One world championship, said he was just focusing on the current season for the time being.
"There has already been talk about this in the media, which seems pretty optimistic. We haven’t even sat in a car yet for 2012 and they are already looking at 2013," Ricciardo told formula1.com.
"It's a long time away and many things can happen between now and then, that’s the reality."
"I understand very well the philosophy of Red Bull and, yes, one day I would love to race for Red Bull Racing, but that’s all it is for now - just a bit of a goal."
"I have 20 races this year which I will take one by one and make sure I leave every event fulfilled and with no regrets."
Toro Rosso decided to replace incumbent drivers Jamie Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi in favour of Ricciardo and rookie Jean-Eric Vergne for the 2012, and the Australian said his promotion was unexpected.
"The news was very nice for me to hear," he said.
"Yes, I was a little surprised, as I wasn’t given any hints previously that this was the direction the team was looking into."
"It's a tremendous opportunity for me and I can't wait for Melbourne, or - even sooner - for Jerez (for testing)."
"Not really surprised (that Alguersuari and Buemi were sacked), as I know how it works at this level and I think any level of elite sport."
"There is always going to be someone else coming through the ranks trying to knock you off, so you always have to be on your game and seize every possible opportunity."
Ricciardo is confident his debut season in the Formula One world championship last season will help him make an immediate impact when he starts life as a Toro Rosso driver at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 18.
"I always saw it as an opportunity. I knew if I could do well at HRT, it could lead to bigger things," Ricciardo said.
"So it didn't really matter how competitive the car was, I just had to learn as much as I could and keep trying to get the most out of it."
"I believe now it has set me up very well for this year. It was a great move for my career."