According to him, Bruno Senna will be in F1 in 2010

Bruno Senna is convinced he will be on the starting grid in Formula 1 next season. After being denied a seat for the 2009 season with Brawn GP, the team having preferred Rubens Barrichello alongside Jenson Button. The nephew of the triple world champion and legendary Ayrton Senna, spent the season in Le Mans-Series where he continued to work on a deal in F1 for 2010. The Brazilian announced to journalists present at the new Abu Dhabi circuit that he is now almost sure he will be on the grid next year.

I’m happy, it was a very difficult year. Sometimes I felt a bit distant from F1. But slowly we tried to come back. Obviously, the beginning of the year was very difficult, people in the paddock only talked about double diffusers and new regulations. It was really hard to have good contact with the teams, given that they had certain concerns and other things to think about before the drivers. But finally, we looked at what the real options were and focused on them, we are very close to reaching an agreement today, says Ayrton’s nephew.

He added: « It looks really good. We have some good offers on the table and that’s what we needed. I think Formula 1 is in a tough spot, with a lot of drivers on the market, which doesn’t make things easy for drivers outside of Formula 1. But fortunately, with the new teams, new horizons are opening. We are very close to a deal. »

« In the 90% » declared Bruno Senna about his chances of being in Formula 1 next year. And when asked where he hoped to be able to announce something, he said: « I hope at Interlagos. »

The Brazilian driver admitted that it was very difficult to be so close to a deal last year and ultimately get nothing: « It was frustrating not to get the seat, especially because I was quite close. But that’s motorsport, you have to learn how to cope with these difficult times and there are many in a driver’s career. It didn’t stop me from keeping my head up and we continued to work on another deal for 2010 and that’s what we’re doing. »

Despite this, the Brazilian believes that the experience gained in the Le Mans Series will be useful for Formula 1 next year, especially since refueling will be prohibited: « I competed in the Le Mans Series with good results, achieving two podiums in three races, which is not bad for a newcomer. I really wanted to gain some experience and it indeed taught me a lot. Now, I know how to save fuel and manage the tires, which will be important for next year. Consumption is going to be an issue, and it’s sure to be good preparation. But the best preparation will be to finally be in Formula 1. »

The triple world champion’s nephew revealed that he was in talks with two of the new teams but admitted that he would prefer to come to Formula 1 with a team that has experience: « Campos and Manor are, I think, at the top of the list of new teams. So, we are reaching out to them, but it’s still a little early to say anything. If the proposal is good, I prefer to be in one of these teams. It’s a much less risky option. There are many variable factors in a new team entering Formula 1. But in any case, I need to be able to believe that the team can do a good job and show my potential on the track next year. »

He also stated that the Force India team is also a possibility: « We are still talking with them, but we have to wait and see. They have to manage a few situations regarding their future and we can’t negotiate on this point. »

Bruno Senna was back in action in a cockpit today in Jerez, where he joined the GP2 iSport team to help with development and also to reacclimate to a single-seater: First, I need to get back on track. I haven’t driven a single-seater since November last year, and it’s been a long time. And then, iSport wanted me to go there and help develop the car. They were a little off track this year, and they want to know if it’s the car or the driver, and I hope I can tell them it was related to the driver.