Bourdais downplays his capabilities for 2008

Sébastien Bourdais has warned his fans about his abilities next year and especially about his performance in what will be his first Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Bourdais, 28, will finally be racing in the top category of motorsport with Scuderia Toro Rosso after winning four consecutive titles in Champ Car.

But despite his experience and success in America, the Frenchman himself says he is putting no pressure on himself for his first season.

« I don’t want to put myself under pressure. I want to enjoy what I’m doing. Pressure is not a good thing because it can lead drivers to make mistakes, » he stated on the official F1 website.

« Sebastian Vettel has done thousands of kilometers of testing with BMW, he just completed half a season in F1, while I have just arrived in Europe and despite my experience, I am considered the rookie here. For now, I just want to cover as many kilometers as possible before early March, when the championship resumes. »

« I know that a lot is expected of me, especially by the French, but I would like to ask them not to expect too much from me. If I manage to regularly get into Q2 during qualifications and score some points here and there, I will be super happy. But I don’t want to have any goals, » he continued.

Bourdais, who will be teamed up with Sebastian Vettel in the team next year, says that he will have no problems with the young German. He does not expect any special treatment regarding his titles won in the United States.

« I am a Champ Car champion, not an F1 champion. I still have a lot to learn. Vettel has much more F1 experience than I do, and even if we were Hamilton and Alonso, I don’t think we would be in the same situation. »

« The interests of Toro Rosso are more important than those of the drivers. The war between teammates is a selfish activity. When a team trusts you and invests in you, we must give our best, » concluded the Frenchman.