Bourdais and Buemi to join Sato at test
The other contenders for seats at Toro Rosso next year will also appear at the next Formula 1 test.
Out-of-work hopeful Takuma Sato, who dropped off the grid with the demise of the Super Aguri team early in 2008, is set to test for a third time with Faenza based STR at the Jerez outing next week.
The news indicates he is still strongly in the running for a race seat, but a team spokesperson on Thursday confirmed that he will not be alone in action at the wheel of a STR3 at the southern Spanish track.
Like 31-year-old Sato, his main contender Sebastien Bourdais is also scheduled to run for two days at Jerez.
The Swiss youngster Sebastien Buemi, meanwhile, who will almost certainly replace Sebastien Vettel at the team in 2009, will test on all three days of the test.
Team owner Dietrich Mateschitz said recently an announcement about STR’s drivers will be made before Christmas, but the spokesperson said no such deadline applies.
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I hope STR keeps Bourdais. For all reasons if talent is the main factor for the seat. He demonstrated a real improvement on the last races and this should be his year with slicks. He has demonstrated talent on all the series he has raced before, and .2 or .3 seconds of diference between the 2 drivers is enough for getting into each of the quali sessions in the race.
I think Sato will be hard to get sponsorship money from Japan, now with the news that Honda is ready to withdraw.
Although this could lead to one more candidate on the list, Button, I still beleive Bourdais is on top of the list.
Also if Redbull idea is to save money, hiring Sato would be a crazy idea with his car wreckage history and all the money gained from his ¨sponsors¨ would be drawned.
If Redbull idea is to sell the team they should demonstrate success to get more money in the final standings.
With Webber´s accident they need reserve drivers that know the team and prepare for race time. Buemi can be put on hold because of his age, take Webber´s practice sessions, and be really prepared for 2010. I think he is still too young and raw.
Finally Sebastien is French and Redbull should remember France is an important market too.
what about Jensen now Honda has gone to the wall?? If i were in the market for a half decent experience driver he’d be high on the list, never the fastest (even though he likes to think he is) but still worth a shout
good man.