Toro Rosso reportedly gave Bourdais an ultimatum

Some media outlets have recently stated that Sébastien Bourdais might only have one race left to prove he deserves his place in F1 with the Toro Rosso team. After a generally disappointing season, his second in F1, the Frenchman risks losing his seat to the new reserve driver, Jaime Alguersuari.

According to journalists, the Red Bull management is extremely dissatisfied with Bourdais’ 2009 season. The four-time ChampCar champion, who already had to wait a long time for a response to commit this year, was under scrutiny in 2009, and his management expected some performances from him to possibly consider an extension to 2010. This idea doesn’t even seem to be on the agenda anymore with this likely ultimatum.

Bourdais has scored 2 points this season and is behind his teammate and newcomer Sébastien Buemi. The Swiss has scored three points in the championship and regularly outperforms his more experienced teammate, especially in qualifying where Buemi has qualified better than the Frenchman 6 times in the 8 Grand Prix held this season.

Sébastien Bourdais did not turn a deaf ear to this rumor and gave his point of view on the matter: « It’s not me who writes the rumors, and I don’t decide when things change. This rumor has been going on for a year and a half now, that tomorrow is my last race… But it’s getting more intense this weekend. »

« I have nothing to say to my managers. If they have something to say to me, they’re adults, they’ll say it. Whether they confirm it or not, it’s not up to me to ask them. With Franz Tost, the director, we’ve always said everything to each other, there are no surprises », Sébastien Bourdais added.

On the contrary, Alguersuari envisions the future calmly and had recently stated that he could reach F1 faster than initially planned. The Spaniard, winner of the highly competitive British F3 championship and considered by some as the “next Alonso,” is racing this year in the World Series by Renault. “My goal for 2010 is to drive for Toro Rosso. I’m not in a rush, but I want to be on the podium of the World Series quickly, and next season could be the right time for F1.”

According to the media, Bourdais is expected to score points this weekend at the Nurburgring to save his seat and keep his drive until the end of the season. Furthermore, the names of Giorgio Pantano and Bruno Senna are also mentioned as potential replacements for Bourdais in the event of a forced and premature eviction.