The Formula 1 paddock has been grazing for the past month before the return to action at the iconic Spa-Francochamps this weekend.

That has left plenty of time for the F1 media to chew the cud and let rumours ferment. But more concrete reports are now emerging, suggesting that Daniel Ricciardo will be handed the coveted second seat at Red Bull.

Current Red Bull No 2 Mark Webber announced his decision to leave Formula 1 at the end of June and a number of candidates were rumoured to be in the running.

But Ricciardo has apparently moved ahead of other candidates, with an announcement due sooner rather than later. Webber backed the Toro Rosso driver and fellow Australian when he announced his decision to leave the sport.

The hunt for a No 2 driver was always a tricky proposition and balancing act for Red Bull due to Vettel's pre-eminent status within the team. The German had already publicly rejected the idea of Fernando Alonso becoming his team-mate.