That is the claim of the Swiss newspaper Blick, reporting that the news will be confirmed officially in the coming days.

Vitantonio Liuzzi has therefore been ousted, despite having a contract with the Silverstone based team for another season.

Blick also said Hulkenberg, the impressive German rookie who was replaced at Williams by Pastor Maldonado, will drive during the Friday morning sessions at grands prix.

"I actually wanted Nico to be the third driver at McLaren," revealed Hulkenberg's famous manager Willi Weber.

"But Martin Whitmarsh was worried that it would be seen as a threat to Button so he didn't want to disrupt the harmony in the team for their championship hunt," he added.

Blick's veteran correspondent Roger Benoit also reports that Toro Rosso is set to be bought by Arab investors.