“In Sebastien's second year with us, the partnership has not met our expectations and therefore we have decided to replace him as from the next round of the world championship, the Hungarian Grand Prix. An announcement about (the) replacement will be made shortly before the Hungarian Grand Prix,” said the statement from Toro Rosso today.
The news didn't come as a shock for anyone, as it was widely expected for Bourdais to be dropped by his team following his poor performances this season. Although he insisted, shortly after the German Grand Prix, that he will fight contractually for his 2009 seat, the Frenchman is yet to issue an official statement regarding his sack.
In the meantime, speculations started to arise concerning Sebastien Buemi's future teammate at Toro Rosso. The name of Spanish teenager Jaime Alguersuari was on everyone's lips at the Nurburgring, and this wasn't because he made his first appearance as Red Bull's reserve/test driver in the F1 paddock.
The general view is that the Spaniard will drive the STR4 for the remainder of the 2009 season in order to get more acquainted with Formula One racing, while on his way to securing a full-time drive in 2010. According to some Spanish reports in recent months, oil company Repsol will back his drive for Toro Rosso for the entire 2010 season.
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