Brian Vickers will drive for Team Red Bull in 2007, positioning himself to be the future of Toyota as the Japanese automaker prepares for its Nextel Cup debut, The Associated Press has learned.

The hiring was confirmed to the AP on Sunday night by Red Bull officials at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

“Brian brings not only youth, but also championship credentials to the Red Bull seat,” general manager Marty Gaunt said. “More importantly, he shares the same vision held by Team Red Bull and he becomes a key building block in the foundation of our team.”

Vickers asked earlier this month to be released from his contract with Hendrick Motorsports, where he has driven since 2003. His request was granted, clearing the way for Vickers to emerge from the shadow of his successful Hendrick teammates to drive for a startup company that will build its organization around the promising 22-year-old.

“I hope this makes us - me and Team Red Bull - champions,” Vickers said by phone from Sonoma, Calif., following his 14th-place finish in the NASCAR race.

“The rest of the stuff takes care of itself. I know that there are going to be a lot of opportunities for me through Red Bull, but all of that is just a bonus. I am going into this deal for the sheer competition.”

Although Vickers has yet to win at NASCAR’s top level, the 2003 Busch Series champion is in high demand because of his youth, potential and marketability.

Toyota’s upcoming entry into the Cup series is creating several open seats, and there is a shortage of talented, young Cup drivers who are not locked into long-term contracts. By leaving Hendrick - one of NASCAR’s super teams - Vickers is capitalizing on what is currently a driver’s market.

“It came down to it was time for a fresh start, time to do something different and I felt like this was an opportunity of a lifetime,” Vickers said. “Red Bull is one of the worldwide leaders in all forms of motorsports. They have more resources, from Formula One, to Rally cars and now to a Cup team, and they are going to use all of them.”

Vickers will be the top driver for Red Bull, where he’ll pilot the No. 83 Camry. Team Red Bull, which is owned by the world’s leading energy drink maker, is still looking for a second driver.

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