Buzzin F1 – Formula One Blog

Sebastien Buemi - Formula 3 Euro Series 2006

It was confirmed on Friday that Sebastien Buemi will be one of the drivers for the Toro Rosso team this season after admitting that he signed the contract three-weeks-ago.

Buemi has had the backing of the Red Bull team for most of his career and has gained valuable mileage in Formula One as their test and reserve driver.  Last year he competed in GP2, where he finished the season in sixth position for Arden International.

The 20-year-old, Swiss driver secured his seat after testing the car several times over the winter season and team boss Franz Tost said,

“We are delighted to welcome Sebastien, who was already part of the Red Bull family, to our team.  Our engineers have been impressed with his speed in the car and his ability to learn and progress during the testing he has carried out for us last year.

That, along with some impressive performances in GP2 was enough to convince us to give him the drive.  His appointment also fulfils the aims of the Red Bull Junior Driver Programme and meets Dietrich Mateschitz’s intention to use Scuderia Toro Rosso as a showcase for young drivers the company has supported in the lower formulae.”

Buemi said,

“I am naturally very happy to be driving Scuderia Toro Rosso this year.  Being a Formula One driver has always been my target, since I first started racing.

This year, I will do all I can to bring home the best possible results and to show Red Bull that the confidence it has shown in me is justified.  I want to thank Red Bull for this opportunity and for all the help they have given me in my career, dating back to 2005.”