Toro Rosso co-owner Gerhard Berger has admitted that the team are planning to test GP2 star Sebastien Buemi, a Red Bull junior driver, with a view to a race seat in Formula One next season, according to autosport.com.
STR are believed to be looking to run an experienced driver alongside an up and coming youngster in 2008, which leaves the future of Sebastian Bourdais – already an uncertainty according to recent comments by his manager – in the balance.
Bourdais has struggled to impress alongside teammate Sebastian Vettel, although his performance at last weekends European Grand Prix was a step in the right direction, and it is no secret that he needs to pick up the pace if he is to be retained for next season.
Favourite for the seat in the eyes of most observers is Japanese Super Aguri and Honda refugee Takuma Sato, with Red Bull apparently keen to take the experienced driver in order to raise their profile in the as=yet untapped Japanese market for energy drinks. Anthony Davidson, Sato’s former teammate at Super Aguri, is also thought to be in the frame.
The news that Switzerland’s Buemi is to be evaluated for a drive throws confusion over recent speculation that Bruno Senna, also a Gp2 star this year, had been in line for the seat, although rumours last weekend linked the nephew of the late Ayrton Senna with a test driver position at BMW-Sauber.
STR have no plans, at present, to test Senna as they are Buemi, but further driver evaluations can not be ruled out.
Written: Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:23:03
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