The news appeared in the French publication Auto Hebdo, whose reporters revealed the Red Bull officials are extremely unhappy with Bourdais' campaign in 2009. Having been so close to losing his STR spot ahead of this season, the former 4-time Champ Car winner was expected to display some outstanding performance this year, in order to convince the Faenza based outfit to further extend his deal for 2010.
Bourdais scored only 2 points this season and is currently being outscored by rookie teammate Sebastien Buemi. The Swiss driver put 3 points on the scoreboard for Red Bull's sister team this year, while constantly outpacing his more experienced teammate in both qualifying and race throughout the first part of the season.
Alguersuari recently admitted that his Formula One debut might come sooner than initially expected. Even if it doesn't come this season, the former British F3 champion revealed his immediate aim is to progress inside the World Series by Renault and secure an F1 drive next season.
“My main objective for 2010 is to race with Toro Rosso. I am not in a hurry, but I want to be on the World Series podium soon and the next season could be the right moment for F1,” said the “next Alonso” for Spanish newspaper Diario AS last week.
Auto Hebdo reportedly gave Bourdais an ultimatum: whether he scores points at the Nurburgring this weekend or lose his F1 seat for the remainder of the year. Apart from Alguersuari, Giorgio Pantano and Bruno Senna are also regarded as potential replacements for the 30-year old Frenchman.
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