The small Italian Formula 1 outfit Toro Rosso sent a very short press release Wednesday morning saying that Frenchman Sébastien Bourdais was no longer one of their drivers.
So, as many predicted last weekend’s German Grand Prix at the Nurburging was Bourdais’ last race for Scuderia Toro Rosso.
Team boss Franz Tost said “In Sébastien’s second year with us, the partnership has not met our expectations and therefore we have decided to replace him as from the next round of the World Championship, the Hungarian Grand Prix.”
The four-time Champ Car series’ champion never fully adapted to the tricky driving of a Formula 1 car. He showed sparks of brilliance on occasions, but he’s been often involved in accidents with other drivers, which cost him dearly.
So far this season, Bourdais only beat his rookie teammate, Sébastien Buemi once in qualifying (in Malaysia). And the news last year that Red Bull replaced Brendon Hartley by Jaime Alguersuari as their reserve driver was almost a confirmation that Bourdais was standing on the doorstep.
An announcement about his replacement will be made shortly before the Hungarian Grand Prix. Place your bets on Alguersuari who will perform straight-line aero tests for Toro Rosso on Friday at Varano in Italy.
photo:Peter Fox/Getty Images
So, as many predicted last weekend’s German Grand Prix at the Nurburging was Bourdais’ last race for Scuderia Toro Rosso.
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Team boss Franz Tost said “In Sébastien’s second year with us, the partnership has not met our expectations and therefore we have decided to replace him as from the next round of the World Championship, the Hungarian Grand Prix.”
The four-time Champ Car series’ champion never fully adapted to the tricky driving of a Formula 1 car. He showed sparks of brilliance on occasions, but he’s been often involved in accidents with other drivers, which cost him dearly.
So far this season, Bourdais only beat his rookie teammate, Sébastien Buemi once in qualifying (in Malaysia). And the news last year that Red Bull replaced Brendon Hartley by Jaime Alguersuari as their reserve driver was almost a confirmation that Bourdais was standing on the doorstep.
An announcement about his replacement will be made shortly before the Hungarian Grand Prix. Place your bets on Alguersuari who will perform straight-line aero tests for Toro Rosso on Friday at Varano in Italy.
photo:Peter Fox/Getty Images