Sébastien Bourdais is confirmed at Toro Rosso

Toro Rosso confirms that Sébastien Bourdais will indeed be part of its team for a second season in 2009.

The F1 career of the four-time Champ Car champion could have gone sour because during the winter, the Frenchman had to fight for his place by seeking additional financial resources.

Yesterday, we announced that the Manceau would test for Toro Rosso in Jerez next week. The official confirmation didn’t take long. He will indeed be Sébastien Buemi’s teammate in 2009.

« It was a very long and difficult winter, but now the waiting time is finally over. I am really looking forward to my second season with Scuderia Toro Rosso, » said Bourdais.

« I want to thank Red Bull and Dietrich Mateschitz for giving me the opportunity to continue the adventure with a team that made so much progress last year. »

« Now, I can focus on the upcoming season. It promises to be very interesting, thanks to all the new rules. I am eager to get to know my new teammate, Sébastien Buemi, » he continued.

In 2008, Bourdais was rarely stronger than his teammate Sebastian Vettel, but he made progress in the latter part of the year. Team principal Franz Tost has not forgotten this.

« After a year with Toro Rosso, he will be able to benefit from his experience gained last season, » Tost said.

« He now knows the F1 environment, the circuits, and the team. Additionally, the slick tires making their return this season should suit his driving style. »

Consequently, he will approach this new season with much more experience under his belt. This will be particularly useful considering that our second driver, Sébastien Buemi, is a rookie, coming from Red Bull’s young driver program.

This announcement today definitively completes the F1 grid for 2009 pending developments in the sale of Honda Racing.