Toro Rosso offers a contract to Bourdais… yes, but!

Sébastien Bourdais and Toro Rosso, the story continues. At least, that’s what the rumors have been indicating lately. Indeed, according to a Swiss newspaper, the Frenchman Sébastien Bourdais might have been offered a contract by Toro Rosso for the 2009 season. Several reasons lead to considering this rumor as true.

First, the newspaper that first announced that a contract between Bourdais and Toro Rosso would soon be signed is *Speedweek*. This German-Swiss newspaper is not well known. Perhaps it is spreading this rumor to gain recognition. Quite possibly, but an important detail is that this newspaper was created by part of the editorial team of the Red Bulletin, published by Red Bull at all F1 events since 2005. The journalists are therefore very close to the company Red Bull Racing and consequently to Dietrich Mateschitz. The precise information confirms that Toro Rosso preferred Sébastien Bourdais over Takuma Sato. Nevertheless, it does not confirm that an agreement has been reached.

Then, several events have changed the game recently between the strengths and weaknesses of each driver competing for the still available seat. Indeed, the Toro Rosso engineers would have largely preferred Bourdais’ technical expertise, as Sato does not have enough experience in setting up a single-seater. This opinion is important, but not necessary.

The third point concerns the economic crisis; Bourdais never wanted to join the game of who has the most sponsors. Takuma Sato, his main competitor, is Japanese, a country that has always placed F1 at the top of its interests. Nonetheless, Sato is supported and sponsored by Honda. Since the manufacturer withdrew from F1, most Japanese sponsors have also withdrawn to fight against the crisis. Therefore, Sato would not have the necessary funding and would be on equal footing in this regard.

A level considered better by the engineers, a financial contribution as (insignificant) as Sato’s, and an image reaching more people, especially in the USA, are all arguments that could have definitively tipped the balance in favor of Bourdais. Nevertheless, an essential question remains.

Even if Toro Rosso offered a contract to Bourdais, with his having been terminated since the beginning of the year, will the man from Le Mans have the courage to refuse it? After all, this team has been leading him in circles for several months, undermining the confidence placed in him. Even if Bourdais accepts, reaching an agreement could still take a long time. Toro Rosso should announce a driver in the coming days, with Mateschitz wanting to provide an answer by the end of January, early February at the latest.