Sebastien Bourdais is fighting for his Formula One future – just six months after he started his first Grand Prix.
The Toro Rosso ace put in a brilliant performance at Spa last weekend – but has been told by team boss Gerhard Berger he must do it all again in Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix if he is to keep his seat.
But despite his pedigree, he faces FOUR major problems:
ONE: He has been slow to adapt to the handling characteristics of his car since Toro Rosso introduced a new aerodynamic package in July.
TWO: He has to match a fast young team-mate, Germany’s Sebastian Vettel – touted as the next Michael Schumacher and already guaranteed promotion to Toro Rosso’s parent team Red Bull next season.
THREE: Honda’s favourite son Takuma Sato is sniffing around for a drive following the demise of the Super Aguri team. Sato would bring bucketfuls of yen and has already been offered a test drive by Toro Rosso.
FOUR: Red Bull protege Sebastien Buemi is also waiting in the wings – and the Swiss GP2 race winner is being pushed for an F1 drive by some elements within the parent squad.
Of the pressure applied by Berger, he said: “Fair or unfair, it doesn’t matter. It’s his opinion. It’s the way it is. Is Formula 1 fair? Probably not – but who cares?
“I am still on the shortlist for next year and it can go one way or the other. Right now I am just trying to do the best I can to create my own opportunity.”
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