Sebastien Bourdais: F1 2009 driver profile

Date published : 23 Mar 2009 - 15:30:46

2008 season: In his debut season Bourdais was rather shown up by young teammate Sebastian Vettel. The Frenchman was unfortunate at times, but should really have done better with the machinery available. Prospects for 2009: If the Toro Rosso is as competitive as last year, Bourdais should garner more than just the four points he managed in 2008. First he must subdue Buemi and establish himself as the team's No1 driver.  Related ArticlesToro Rosso F1: Complete guide for 2009 Sebastien Buemi profile Bourdais given thumbs down Vettel wins Italian GP Takuma Sato offered F1 lifeline with Scuderia Toro Rosso On the grid: Formula One team guide -- To say that Bourdais' hiring did not excite race fans would be an understatement. Bourdais may be one of the most successful drivers in the history of Champ Car World Series, having won four successive titles from 2004-2007, but he hasn't set the world alight in Formula One. This is, in fact, the Frenchman's second stint in motor racing's most exclusive club. He tested for Arrows in 2002 and was signed to drive for the team before they went bankrupt. He also tested for Renault in the same year but lost out to compatriot Franck Montagny. After five years in the States, Bourdais was given another chance to impress when Toro Rosso signed him after several tests. His seventh place in Australia (after qualifying in 17th) proved a false dawn. While Vettel went on to great things, Bourdais struggled with both pace and luck. He was visibly distraught when he went from third to seventh in Belgium when the rain started to fall, had rotten luck again in Italy where his car would not select first gear when fourth on the grid and incurred a hugely controversial 25-second penalty in Japan which dropped him from sixth to 10th. Now 30, you would expect him to comprehensively outshine his rookie teammate Sebastien Buemi. If he doesn't, it is unlikely he will be asked back for a third season. Bourdais facts Team: Toro Rosso Date of birth: Feb 28, 1979 Nationality: French 2009 car number: 12 Races: 18 Drivers' titles: 0 Wins: 0 Podiums: 0 Career points: 4 Pole positions: 0 Fastest laps: 0 2008 position: 17th (4 points)