Red Bull won't be confirming Toro Rosso's future driver line-up until late September at the very least, says team boss Franz Tost.
The Faenza-based outfit is facing somewhat of a conundrum down the road. As Red Bull's junior squad, the outfit has typically been a breeding ground for young hopefuls.
With several seasons of experience now under their belt, Carlos Sainz and Dany Kvyat are no longer considered junior drivers.
But a graduation to Red Bull Racing, where the Russian raced in 2015 before he was replaced by Max Vesrtappen, also appears unlikely given the water-tight contracts of the young Dutchman and his team mate Daniel Ricciardo.
Franz Tost would therefore more than welcome a status quo at Toro Rosso for 2018.
"This is a decision for Red Bull, we have to wait," Tost told Motorsport.com.
"But if they [Sainz and Kvyat] continue with us it would be fantastic. There are not so many teams out there which are so much better than us.
"They are still young and we are still developing them. They are 22 and 23 years old. This is not an age where you can say you belong to the old drivers.
"We will see what Red Bull decides, but if they will stay with us I think the complete team would be more than happy."
Sainz had publically stated his desire to step up to a top-tier outfit. Should a fourth season with Toro Rosso be forced upon the Spaniard, frustrations could mount.
GP2 champion Pierre Gasly is also waiting in the wings, biding his time by racing in Super Formula in Japan.
But Tost insists there will be no decisions until much later this year.
"As I said before it depends what Red Bull decides, but the decision will be made in September or October, something like that," he said.
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