Tost: We will give Buemi a 2009 race-seat

Franz Tost has told Swiss newspaper Le Matin that the Toro Rosso team are planning to give Sebastien Buemi an F1 drive next season. Buemi had tested for the team earlier in the week, along with former F1 driver Takuma Sato. Although no official contract has been signed, it seems the 19 year old driver has made enough of an impression and convinced F1 bosses he is ready for a race seat.

“Sebastien has done an excellent job,” Tost explained. “He has prepared a plan and fully met our expectations. He put in some very good times, is a hard worker, is dedicated to the team, has a good relationship with our engineers, and has provided the team with some excellent technical information.

“After what we saw this week, and if we manage to find an experienced driver for support, I think we can risk signing Sebastien to Toro Rosso for 2009. You can consider that an official statement!

“He is very, very talented. And as we belong to the Red Bull family, we, of course, encourage drivers. But we are in no hurry to finalize the contracts.”