Buemi respects Toro Rosso’s decision
Just like Jaime Alguersuari, Sebastien Buemi does not hide his disappointment and surprise after being sidelined by Toro Rosso, but he assures that he respects the decision of his team and claims to continue discussions with Red Bull.
After Jaime Alguersuari, it’s Sebastien Buemi’s turn to express his surprise at Scuderia Toro Rosso’s decision to oust its two drivers to promote Red Bull’s new hopefuls, Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniel Ricciardo: “I was completely taken aback. Just a few days before, we had still been discussing a lot of things for the next season. And I was in the simulator yesterday morning at Red Bull Racing in Milton Keynes when Franz Tost and Helmut Marko called me…” explains the Swiss in the Swiss newspaper 24 heures.
The Vaudois obviously doesn’t hide his disappointment but, just like his former teammate, states that he respects the team’s decision: « I am disappointed. But it’s their decision and I respect it. I don’t forget that without them I would never have made it this far, they have helped me enormously for a long time, practically since my beginnings in Formula BMW, then in F3, in GP2, and in F1. »
Franz Tost, Team Principal of Scuderia Toro Rosso, reflected on the circumstances and reasons behind this decision, which was quite surprising for many F1 observers: « The decision was made during a meeting at Red Bull’s headquarters in Austria on December 13. […] Sebastien has been with us for three years and Jaime for two and a half years. Both worked very hard for the team, doing their best and achieving some good results. However, Toro Rosso’s mission has always been to serve as a training ground for beginners, and with two seasons under the belt, you are no longer a beginner. In an ideal world, drivers would move from Toro Rosso to Red Bull, but there is no available seat at Red Bull. This decision may seem harsh, but Formula One is a very tough environment, and Toro Rosso has always been clear about the principles guiding its choice of drivers. »
Now set, Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi don’t have much time left to try to secure one of the few seats still available on the 2012 grid, although the Swiss driver doesn’t seem to rule out continuing to collaborate with Red Bull, possibly in the reserve driver role left vacant by Jean-Eric Vergne: « I can’t say anything for now. Apart from the fact that I will no longer drive a Toro Rosso in 2012, the doors are not completely closed for me at Red Bull. We’re talking. We’ve done good work together so far, it’s a good foundation. And for my future, there are plenty of possibilities. I remain positive and fully motivated. »
