Tadashi

From autosport.com

Sato to test for Toro Rosso this month

By Jonathan Noble Tuesday, September 2nd 2008, 08:21 GMT

Takuma Sato is to return to the Formula One cockpit with Scuderia Toro Rosso later this month as part of an evaluation test for a 2009 drive with the team.

The Japanese has been out of action since Super Aguri folded ahead of the Turkish Grand Prix but, as autosport.com reported last month, is a leading contender for a 2009 race seat with Toro Rosso because of his experience and the marketing opportunities his arrival would offer Red Bull in his home nation.

The team have now decided to test him at Jerez, the day after they take a closer look at youngster Sebastien Buemi, while they weigh up what to do for next year.

Speaking about his test opportunity that comes on September 18, Sato said: "I am delighted to be given this opportunity to get back behind the wheel of a Formula One car, after my season was cut short following the Spanish GP.

"It will be especially interesting working with a team that has made so much progress over the course of the year."

Team principal Franz Tost admitted that both Buemi and Sato would bring benefits to the team, who have still not made a decision on whether Sebastien Bourdais will stay on.

"The time has come to try and find a suitable replacement for Vettel, who is joining Red Bull Racing next year," said Tost.

"The Jerez test, the last one of the season, will give us an opportunity to evaluate Buemi and Sato at the same time, as they are both possible candidates for a 2009 seat. Buemi is an obvious candidate, because not only is he already part of the Red Bull family, he is currently performing well in the GP2 series.

"As for Sato, he has proved worthy of a place in Formula One and would be a good fit with the Red Bull spirit, while his recent F1 experience would be undoubtedly valuable to our team."

s2ksimon

there really shouldn't be any hype if he signs or not as he'll be just another mobile chicane battling mid to back of the grid

GPMike

Birel186

sato's not that bad. best japanese driver there's ever been. not sure if thats saying much though.

anyways, the rumor is that red bull needs Sato, because Red Bull the drink hasn't been too successful in asia.

think of it this was as aggressive a driver as Sato is, maybe he'll add more excitement... dive bombs that result in crashes, spins, fights, etc...

I just hope they don't replace Bourdais

Colin

Is Toro Rosso shopping for new engines next year or are they set with Ferrari?

teamking

I would doubt that they're looking for new engines-- Mark Webber was indicating that the Toro Rossos were quicker than the Red Bulls in large part due to the engines.

Marco

HMMMMMMMMM, Very interesting

s2ksimon

again, no biggie as STR can't do anything with a Ferrari engine, you think they'll miracuously improve with a Honda ? Not a chance.. Backmarkers forever

Birel186

well the Ferrari is the most powerful engine after Mercedes. And STR outpaced both RBR's in Valencia. Vettel has out qualified them various times throughout this year.

Birel186

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/70017

Webber: Toro Rosso stronger than Red Bull

Sebastian Vettel's star performance in qualifying for the European Grand Prix is proof that his Scuderia Toro Rosso team are now ahead of their sister team Red Bull Racing.

That is the view of Red Bull's Mark Webber and Renault's Fernando Alonso, who both reckon that the combination of the STR3 chassis with a Ferrari engine is better than Red Bull's car with a Renault power unit.

Amid a growing acceptance that Ferrari's engine has edged clear of the Renault in the horsepower stakes, both drivers are convinced that the power advantage is now separating the two teams.

Speed trap figures in Valencia qualifying showed Ferrari engines holding the top four quickest times in sectors one and two.

Webber told autosport.com: "They [Toro Rosso] have been coming and with that sort of horsepower you can't deal with it.

"Their drivers are doing a good job - you can't drive around here doing that sort of time without doing a good job, that's clear, but they do have a stronger package at the moment."

When asked about his view on what Vettel's performance meant, Alonso said: "We know the Red Bull is one of the quickest cars now, and they (Toro Rosso) have the Ferrari engine - so obviously they have maybe an advantage there.

"We saw today, two exactly same cars, two Red Bulls and two Toro Rossos. One was in pole position and one was out of Q1 and Q2. I think Toro Rosso now is clearly in front of Red Bull after the last couple of races.

"Today, I think he (Vettel) did very well but also Sebastien Bourdais is in Q3 and fighting for good positions - so when the Toro Rosso is competitive we know that Sebastian will be in the top positions.

"It was a great performance, a great weekend and I think tomorrow they have a very high chance to score many points. It is another competitor that we (Renault) have now."

Despite his feelings about the merits of the Toro Rosso package, Webber admits that his biggest concern is not what his sister team are doing but about the overall performance of Red Bull Racing.

"I'm not that worried about Toro Rosso. I'm worried about the position where we are irrespective of where they are. I'm not really that bothered - but whether Vettel wants to come here or not next year is another thing! He might want a Ferrari up his arse next year.

"We've got a good bunch of guys here, it's so easy to make knee-jerk reactions. What's clear is we're not where we want to be."