Bourdais gets Toro Rosso test

[FPV GTHO]

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=38087

Three-time ChampCar World Series champion Sebastian Bourdais is to test for Scuderia Toro Rosso in the final pre-Christmas test at Jerez this week.

The Frenchman, who has dominated the US-based Champ Car World Series for the last three seasons with the Newman-Haas team, last drove an F1 car in 2003 when he tested for Renault at the Spanish venue.

[rallycrosscraig]

its about time he was given a change of an F1 seat I reckon he'd be brilliant, and there is not much left for him over there, 3 year chamion in a row now...

[Down F0rce]

Is he contracted with his current team for next year?

[Smokey 6 litre]

I would like to see Bourdais in a F1 car, and it would open up champ car a bit too (not that i really car much for it).
F1 sometimes focus on the european single seater scene too much, its good that they can look sideways at other successful series and drivers.

[RaceFreak]

Seabass certainly deserves a ride in F1. He has accomplished as much as any GP2 graduate who's rumored to be the next hotshoe. But...He brings no $$ as far as I know, and that's a problem to many teams. Also he may be perceived as a bit of a whiner who has let his temper get the best of him in previous high-stress situations. Franchitti with an attitude.....
Still, STR would be wise to take him. Scott and Tonio should be losing sleep.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by RaceFreak

Scott and Tonio should be losing sleep.

Indeed they should,as neither are officially signed yet!

[enemy-ace]

Originally Posted by Down F0rce

Is he contracted with his current team for next year?

He has an option out if an F1 drive becomes available.
Maybe a switch with Speed is in the works.
Looking forward to see how he does.

[Knowlesy]

I hope this leads to something, i.e. a race drive. Although I feel Sebastien deserves a better seat perhaps, this could lead to better things in time.

Sebastien, although not my favourite by a long chalk, is a real fire in the belly racer. He'd do well.

Would Newman Haas release him? I'm sure he probably has a release for F1 opportunities in his contract, and I doubt that team would stand in the way of a guy who has delivered them so much.

Come on Seabass!

[luke]

I'm sure they would let him go. Afterall he's given them 3 titles.

[strider]

According to the story on autosport.com - http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/55984 - he definitely has an opt-out clause in his contract with Newman Haas if he is offered an F1 race seat.

I don't see why RBR would be giving him a 3 day test unless they were considering him seriously. Testing mileage and tyres are strictly rationed nowadays. A team can't afford to be generous without good reason.

[luke]

Especially as much as 3 days. It must be a drive next year as Speed isn't certain yet I believe and I doubt Seb wouldn't want to just be the 3rd driver all year in a team that is a mid field to back of the field team anyway.

[Matski]

I'd like to see a big(ish) name come into the sport (rather than leave - 2006 saw us lose Michael Schumacher, Jacques Villeneuve and Juan Pablo Montoya)

It would bring some more attention to F1 from the US I'd imagine.

[SALEEN S7R]

Bourdais really deserves a shot at F1, he is extremely quick and very consistant and a gutsy racer. I would like to point out 1 thing however, yes he is a former F3000 Champion but he didnt win the title on the track, it was only because Tomas Enge was found to have traces of canabis in his body that Enge got docked several points that Bourdais took the title.

[Leighton Irwin]

If Seabass does well and gets the ride I hope Toro Rosso can afford all the cheese they will need to go with the 'whine'. Mind you he is not as bad as Bruno!

[Adam43]

For that I opened this thread.

I see the irony

[Kieran20]

well this should keep him quiet hopefully

[Thundersports]

Nothing less than he deserves, I hope it leads to a seat next season.

[outflat]

Bourdais and Speed in the racing seats, with Liuzzi as tester and Jani in ChampCar makes a lot of sense to me.

[alonso11]

a trully great move by Berger, Bourdais is IMHO the best driver outside F1 at the moment (well apart from JMP and MS of course)

What I expect is that Bourdais will prove he and Speed are hardly in the same league talent-wise

[alonso11]

Originally Posted by outflat

Bourdais and Speed in the racing seats, with Liuzzi as tester and Jani in ChampCar makes a lot of sense to me.

since when is Speed better than Liuzzi, I must have missed that part

[Knowlesy]

To be honest it was hard to tell really. Both were mediocre last season, Liuzzi in particular dissapointed.

Both should be trembling at this Bourdais bonanza!

[kipper]

Originally Posted by luke

Especially as much as 3 days. It must be a drive next year as Speed isn't certain yet I believe and I doubt Seb wouldn't want to just be the 3rd driver all year in a team that is a mid field to back of the field team anyway.

I don't think it is certain that Bourdais testing will lead to him racing. By having his prescence in the team (albeit for a short time period) does send a signal to Speed and Liuzzi that they need to up their game in '07, otherwise they potentially have some top line replacements.

[outflat]

There wasn't much to choose between Speed and Liuzzi, so I'd keep Speed as he is less experienced and could therefore have more potential, and because it makes political sense to keep an American on board.

[luke]

It would seem so that Liuzzi isn't as special as he once seemed. And as pointed out, maybe this well push them harder.

[alonso11]

Originally Posted by outflat

There wasn't much to choose between Speed and Liuzzi,

how about Liuzzi outqualified Speed, recorded faster fastest laps and scored a point for a starter