Toro Rosso settles with Bourdais

Apparently after feeling the heat of unceremoniously giving the Hamburgular ze Boot! And letting some 19yr old Punk named Jamie Alguersuari leak the news to the World via the Spanish press… Scuderia Toro Rosso has quickly decided to settle with Sebastian Bourdais, rather then find itself potentially losing in a court room battle and henceforth has agreed to pay sea Bass his ’09 salary plus $2.1 million in damages for breeching his contract.

This obviously makes the Frenchman a “Free Agent” with enough dinero to potentially purchase a ride elsewhere… And even though the cynics suggest he’s gone from Formula 1 and headed back Stateside to find a place in Indy Car’s; can you say De Ferran Motorsports? Nevertheless, I’d not be overly shocked to see him land at the home of F1 “Vurdmeister,” Peter Winsor, self anointed Sporting Director of USF1, Err USGPE…

Is Bourdais gone from F1?

Whale hopefully this afternoon I’ll finally be able to watch the rebroadcast of this weekend’s German GP from the Vunderbar Nurburgring... As it’s been BLOODY HELL! Not being able to surf that web thingy... Listen to any Sporting News, etc while awaiting the chance to watch the latest GP, although I did take several sneak peaks around the Blogosphere; Indy Car sites only...

And thus the hot topic seemed to be The Hamburgular’s unceremonious (disposal) from Scuderia Toro Rosso after another rough outing in Der Fatherland, as multiple sites reported upon 19yr old Spaniard Jaime Alguersuari, having just been promoted to STR’s Reserve Driver status,
Making Comments to the AP claiming that Sea Bass has been dumped in favour of the Spanish teenager who’ll make his Formula 1 debut at the Hunga-Boring (Hungarian GP) race in just under a Fortnight’s time...

If this is true, then I’m not impressed in the way Red Bull made its decision to not step up to the plate and make an Official announcement. Then again, is this the workings of an over imaginative Spanish press?

Yet, if the rumours are true, which I’ve not been able to peruse the F1 landscape yet as I DON’T wanna know the races winner before watching the replay... Then speculation suggests that Bore-Dais could potentially make a return to Indy Cars, a la Dario Franchitti... Albeit to a different team? As let’s recall that The Hamburgular was up against supposedly stiff competition from “Taku” (Takuma Sato) for his seat at Toro Rosso, as Taku-san reportedly had major amounts of Yen behind him, while as far as I know Mr. Bourdais had no major sponsorship backing... Yet kept his seat in the long run; thus I personally hope that NHLR will NOT punt Bad Bobby D (Doornbos) from his seat, but instead, a very savvy Jimmy Vasser would be wise to pick up the ex-multiple Champ Car Champion who could definitely teach Mario “BUTTERFINGERS” Moraes a thing or two, eh? Or Egads! Perhaps even Bobby Rahal could resurrect his dormant IRL team? Then again Sea Bass is quite intent to win the 24 Heurs du Mans for his home based Peugeot squad, so who knows where The Hamburgular will ultimately end up at, eh?

Hmm? Could he potentially become Dan-Dan-Danicker’s replacement at AGR? Or could Gil De Ferran start an all French Indy Car team next year? You make the call...

Scuderia Toro Rosso STR4

The wait is over for the arrival of Toro Rosso’s 2009 challenger, as the Fienza based squad unveiled the Adrian Newey designed racecar yesterday at the Barcelona test session with The Hamburgular (S. Bourdais) being given the honours of first drive. Sea Bass” will be behind the controls the first two days of testing before the rookie Sebastian Buemi takes over for the final two days. And like last year, the biggest difference between the STR4 and it’s Big Brother RB5 is the Ferrari V-8 lump vs. Red Bull Racing’s Renault V-8...

Launch Notes

Scuderia Toro Rosso

The little team that could! As perhaps Red Bull really does give you wings? With ex-Scuderia Toro Rosso team driver Sebastian Vettel having recently been named Autosport’s Rookie of the Year, while the Faenza based team also finished ahead of its big brother Red Bull Racing in this year’s Constructor’s championship and has just swept the first three days of testing at Jerez.

New boy Sebastian (What’s with the Seb-thingy?) Buemi, who’s reportedly a schu-in for one of the two Toro Rosso race seats in ’09, topped the time sheets during the first four days; three for STR and a further day for RBR before Vettel finally beat him. And “Taku” (Takuma Sato) was only a few thousand seconds behind in P2 when testing, while The Hamburgular (S. Bourdais) was close behind as he tries to keep his drive, although I have to wonder if Taku-san will get the nod, since Team boss Deeter Majestic is keen to have his flighty drinks beverage break into the Japanese marketplace...

F1’s newest Hot-Schu?

Current Red Bull Racing test driver Sebastian Buemi, and soon to likely be a full fledged F1 piloto for Scuderia Toro Rosso, has been most impressive at the latest testing outing at Jerez, where Buemi led the time sheets all three days...

Jerez F1 Test

Red Bull bail out

Gerhard Berger; you know, the dude who told Spyker team boss Colin Kolles to go F%%K himself, has sold his 50% stake in Scuderia Toro Rosso back to co-owner & friend Deeter Majestic, a.k.a. Dietrich Mateschitz. Thus, the billionaire owner of Red Bull now once again takes 100% control of the Italian based team, leaving Gerhard free to go about his merry way, while Deeter seeks to increase Red bulls gross income to $6 billion, as the Austria drinks concern is now reportedly spending $1b in advertising alone...

WOW! I really guess it does give you wings, eh?

More Vettel-speak

So it appears that young German hot-schue Sebastian Vettel’s star is definitely growing brighter... Having recently spotted the following short interview with Sebastian Vettel on Grid Crasher... (Along with the cheeky Schumacher bros. video)

Vettel interview

And yet, just what does Germany’s top motor racing Ace Herr Schumacher think about all of the buzz surrounding the young German protégé?

Schumi; Vettel is his own star...

Move over Fernando!

WOW! UN-FREAKIN’ UNBELIEVABLE!!!

As it was truly a star crossed weekend for Italy, as history was made for the blood thirsty cadre’s of Tiafosi, with NOT one, but TWO Historic first’s occurring on both sides of the Atlantic...

As you may know, on Saturday, rising German Hot-schue Sebastian Vettel became Formula One’s youngest ever driver to win a pole position, as Vettel, at 21yrs and 73 days young, snatched the honours from previous record holder Fernando Alonso...

As it was Sebastian’s and the little Faenza based ex-Minardi F1 team’s maiden pole position, of which hopefully Giancarlo Minardi was on hand to witness?

Then I found myself shouting louder ‘N louder at the Telescreen; C’mon Sebastian! As in appalling weather conditions, the young German whippersnapper looked set to make more Grand Prix history by leading the Italian GP virtually flag to flag and take the historic race win ahead of both McLaren and Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro... SHEISA!!!

And “Isn’t it Ironic?” That the victory comes on the 20th Anniversary of that unbelievable lone Ferrari 1-2 victory during what almost was McLaren’s Perfet Season. (1988) You know when Ayrton Senna tripped over Williams replacement back marker Jean Louis Schlesser, giving the Tiafosi a most celebratory victory just one month after the passing of “Il Commendatore," a.k.a. Enzo Ferrari, when Gerhard Berger led teammate Michele Alboreto past the chequered flag at Monza!

Thus, Vettel also became the sport’s youngest ever race winner and it seemed almost surreal to have a young German on the top step of the podium while the German and Italian National Anthems were being played... As this brought back strong memories of somebody named Michael Schumacher, as I kept telling Sebastian to be a good boy up there... DON’T you dare waive your imaginary baton... As Herr Schumacher was ridiculed for doing so several years ago, while another amazing aspect of the victory rostrum, was the fact that all three podium steps were taken by first time Grand Prix winners this season and also made up the youngest podium ever...

Bravo Sebastian!

Will Bourdais stay?

As you may know? There’s been considerable speculation over the future of The Hamburgular staying put at Scuderia Toro Rosso for next season, as Sea Bass (Sebastian Bourdais) is currently under a one year contract with the Italian based outfit, with Bourdais’s manager Nicolas Todt saying nothing has been inked yet for the ’09 season.

And with Red Bull’s Deeter Majestic not only being co-owner, but spending a considerable sum as the team’s major domo... It’s not too hard to speculate that a Red Bull driver will get the nod to appease the Austrian tycoon... Although why does this sound like shades of Dietrich Mateschitz’s squabble over Enrique Bernoldi – Kimi Raikkonen scrum at Sauber in 2001? As the latest reports suggest that both Red Bull Racing test/reserve driver Sebastian Boomi is being considered along with Honda’s Takuma Sato who was left out in the cold with the demise this season of Super Aguri.

Yet, I’d suggest its worth noting that Nicolas Todt is indeed the son of former Ferrari major domo Jean Todt and I’d think he has some fairly strong connections at Maranello, who after all do provide the teams customer lumps. Then again, if Deeter’s willing to pony up massive amounts of Austrian capital, who knows, eh? Yet, since there are currently two seats at Toro Rosso, I’d guess that Boomi and Bourdais will be teammates next season...

Senna to F1?

Currently (And thankfully, as I’m still woefully behind on my F1 coverage, Ja Volt!) the Formula 1 circus is on a much deserved three week summer Holiday break, set to resume action at the brand new Valencia Street Circuit...

Yet, whilst in the middle of this break, , there appears to be some fodder sprouting about over the possibility of Bruno Senna, nephew of the late triple World Champion Ayrton... Who’s currently lying second in this year’s GP2 Championship, a mere nine points behind series “Greybeard” Georgio Pantano... Of potentially being hired as Sebastian Vettel’s replacement at Scuderia Toro Rosso next year, when the German graduates to Red Bull Racing as David Coulthard’s replacement.

Of course this speculation is stirred in large part due to the fact that STR Co-owner Gerhard Berger has been mentoring the young Brazilian’s career as a family favour for his late friend Ayrton.

Yet, at least Berger has publicly said the right thing, by commenting while he thinks Bruno is ready for Formula 1, so to are Romain Grosjean (Renault F1 test driver) and Sebastien Buemi, (Red Bull test driver) whose also currently under Red Bull sponsorship. (Yet Berger may wish to rethink the Grosjean statement after his horrible outing during the “Hunga-boring” weekend...)

But perhaps Bruno will win out, especially since Emperor Bernardo would be ecstatic to see the Senna name once again gracing his ‘lil racing troupe...

New Toro Rosso debuts

Scuderia Toro Rosso will roll out its definitive 2008 F1 challenger on the streets of Monte Carlo this weekend, where the team will deputize its Adrian Newey Red Bull derivative STR-03 chassis.

While many would consider this a very poor choice of venues for unveiling a teams new chassis, as the Principality is lined with kilometers of Armco intertwined with multiple kilos of concrete, Toro Rosso’s technical director Giorgio Ascanelli claims that he is both mad and simply brave in this endeavor, as the team is already struggling with the older STR-02B chassis.

Ascanelli predicts that the new STR-03 should be approximately 0.3-0.5 seconds a lap quicker then the STR-02B, of which production of parts has ceased and thus the team must get on with running the new car and building up its very low inventory of new parts. Recall that the new chassis was originally scheduled for debut at Istanbul prior to the “Hamburgular” (S. Bourdais) crashing heavily in testing…

Testing Trouble

While you may think that the Formula 1 circus is enjoying a well deserved break after three “fly-away” races, the rest was short lived, as the majority of teams have been busy participating in this weeks test session at Barcelona, while preparing for the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix.

And interestingly, teams have been busy running Bridgestone’s 2009 spec slick rubber… As apparently the FIA may be heading for a return of non-grooved racing tyres next year?

Thus, Scuderia Toro Rosso, which has been running an updated “B” spec of its STR-02 chassis to date, brought its new 2008 model to Barcelona, entrusting Sebastian Bourdais to give the STR-03 its baptism under fire… with the team planning to debut the chassis at the Turkish GP.

Unfortunately after completing 71 laps, the Hamburgular apparently hit a patch “o slippery liquids or stumbled upon a patch of secret sauce… As Sea Bass heavily crashed the new STR-03, which could delay the launch of the new car until Monaco, which isn’t an overly friendly environment for debuting new chassis as the Principality is lined with an overabundance of Armco…

Toro Rosso inks Burdais

The news of Scuderia Toro Rosso’s impending announcement of three time Champ Car Champion Sebastian Bourdais has been one of the worst kept secrets in motor racing this year.

So it was NO Surprise when Toro Rosso finally announced the Hamburgular’s signing to partner Sebastian Vettel at STR for 2008 last week. Now all Sea Bass has to do is steal his fourth consecutive Vanderbuilt Cup before jetting off to Europe.

I wonder if “Bad Bobby D,” Neal Jani” or any of the plethora of Formula 1 talent in Champ Car will have any words of encouragement for him? Nah…

And I wonder if Scott Speed will be giving him a going outta business deal on his Condo in Austria…

Vettel confirmed at Toro Rosso

Also while in Indy, I missed the news of America’s only Formula 1 pilot Scott Speed being given his walking papers.

In a not so unexpected move, since Robin Miller broke the story for SPEED TV recently. Scuderia Toro Rosso has indeed dumped Speed in favour of German hot-schue Sebastian Vettel. Who’s been under contract to Red Bull since joining BMW Sauber as its test and reserve driver.

Vettel became the youngest driver to ever score a Grand Prix point upon his F1 debut at this year’s USGP, while standing in for the sidelined Robert Kubica. Vettel will take over Speed’s race seat beginning this weekend in Hungary for the remainder of the year. Toro Rosso has also confirmed Vettel for 2008 and most likely will be partnered by the Hamburgular… With STR possibly becoming the Sebastian & Sebastian show. Expect an announcement shortly.

Speed speaks out

While I’ve been asked about whether or not Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa got into any fisticuffs in parc ferme upon Alonso’s bump ‘N run in the European Grand Prix. It appears that the real wrestle mania was occurring in the Scuderia Toro Rosso garage.

Although STR’s Franz “French Toast” Tost (Mmmm, Sprinkles… Otay so it must be breakfast time, eh?) has tried to overtly play down any alleged coming to blows with American Scott Speed in the German media. Speed has now gone public with SPEED TV’s Adam Cooper. To which I’ve provided the following link to: Speed says Tost out of control.

Also in the same article Robin Miller has reported that Speed will be dropped shortly from Toro Rosso. Hey I thought Miller was busy Up North, eh? Covering the scintillating Champ Car race…

Speed running out of time?

Apparently frictions between top Scuderia Toro Rosso management and its current race drivers are picking up steam. As it appears more and more likely that the lone American F1 pilot Scott Speed is most likely on his way out of the team. While Vitantonio Luzzi has somewhat better chances of retaining his seat for 2008.
Reportedly Speed and STR’s Franz “Toast” got into a physical altercation a la “Sand Dune” Tracy upon Scott’s return to the pit lane after going off into the gravel during the rain deluge at the Nurburgring. Can you say the Hamburgular, Scott? But hey, perhaps this will help Speed secure a ride alongside the Wiley PT next year

Bourdais tests Toro Rosso

Sebastian Bourdais has just completed testing for Scuderia Toro Rosso during last weeks Paul Ricard Formula 1 test. And this test along with a further evaluation at Spa Francorchamps later this season will most likely see the Hamburgular signing a contract to drive for Toro Rosso in 2008.

Of course the arrival of “Sea Bass” would require the departure of one of STR’s current drivers, with rumour suggesting Scott Speed is “On the Bubble.” Yet David Coulthard’s contract expires this year, so could Vitantonnio Luzzi be moved to Red Bull in order to make room for Bourdais?

Bourdais and Toro Rosso?

.With the Hamburgular threatening to once again steal the Vanderbuilt Cup for a fourth successive year in a row, speculation suggest that Sebastian Bourdais could all ready have a deal in his back pocket with Scuderia Toro Rosso for 2008.

And if the 28 year old Frenchman is true to his words, then he’ll pack his bags and move abroad next year to chase his dreams of being a Formula 1 pilot.

Its worth noting that Sea Bass’s manager is Nicolas Todt, son of Ferrari head honcho Jean Todt. And since Toro Rosso is currently a Ferrari engine customer, it’s not too far of a stretch to imagine this occurring, although I think it would be wiser for Renault to install Bourdais as David Coulthard’s replacement.

Then again if the Hamburgular departs, he won’t be able to get all of those free Big Macs anymore. While Champ Car will be left with another gaping hole to fill in it’s never ending driver roulette…

Toro Rosso’s new Technical Director

Scuderia Toro Rosso has just announced Giorgio Ascanelli as its new Technical Director. Ascanelli moves from Maserati and was previously Gerhard Berger’s race engineer at Ferrari…

Toro Rosso FINALLY Announces Speed

After months of Gerhard Berger’s never ending shenanigans of who would become
Scuderia Toro Rosso’s two racing drivers for the upcoming season. Toro Rosso has finally announced that American Scott Speed will retain his race drive in 2007. This means that the Formula 1 grid is now complete. Look for Speed to crack into some points scoring drives this season...

Scuderia Toro Rosso STR-02

"Will the REAL Toro Rosso Stand Up!"

In keeping with its mystery thriller suspense theme, Scuderia Toro Rosso took a decidedly low key approach to unveiling the much ballyhooed STR-2 yesterday in Barcelona. Well sort-of, since there were NO answers to any of the media’s pressing issues…

Although the wraps were taken off Toro Rosso’s new Red Bull “Light” along with Vitantonio Liuzzi being confirmed as one of the team’s two race drivers, Luzzi was unable to partake in any shakedown laps as the track went into a Red flag period just prior to the days final moments of testing. Therefore Luzzi was unable to get onto track.

Meanwhile Gerhard Berger was busy telling anyone who’d listen for the one millionth time that the STR-2 was completely “Legal.” And along with the spat over Toro Rosso’s 2007 challenger, American Scott Speed was noticeably absent with Berger saying that there’s contractual issues needing to be hammered out in order to “ink” Speed to a second season…

This obviously has to do with Speed wishing to sign the best deal possible while Sebastian Bourdais waits in the wings to jump to Toro Rosso in 2008…

To read aboutSpyker F1’s 2007 Launch, see: Spyker F8VII

Doornbos to buy into Toro Rosso?

As previously mentioned, Scuderia Toro Rosso partner Gerhard Berger is under pressure to come up with funding for the team and Berger would prefer to use somebody else’s money to do so…

Dutchman Robert Doornbos appears to have the inside track to a seat with Toro Rosso in 2007. Doornbos did a good job as Red Bull Racings third driver before replacing Christian Klein in the later stages of 2006 and also reportedly has $5-10 million in sponsorship backing…

This appears to be potentially bad news for Scott Speed. Although Speed did a good job last season, he lacks the funding necessary to keep his seat…

Berger’s Motivational Techniques

Although Scuderia Toro Rosso gave reigning Champ Car Champion Sebastian Bourdais a test last week, Bourdais has publicly admitted that he’s committed to Newman/Haas Racing for 2007, with a possible eye towards a 2008 F1 drive…
Nevertheless Gerhard Berger who’s under pressure to bring money to the table as part owner of Toro Rosso invited the Frenchman to test as a way to drum up attention to the often overlooked Red Bull “B” team which has not confirmed either of its current drivers for next season. Berger also revealed that the team has talked with three F1 drivers who have bagloads of cash, yet just don’t have a race seat for 2007. Can you say Robert Doornbos…?
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Doornbos partner American Scott Speed next season. If Spyker was smart they’d hire Vitantonio Luzzi as Christijan Albers teammate…

Bourdais gets F1 Test

Sebastian Bordais, the reigning Champ Car World Series Champion has been clambering for a Formula 1 test since coming to the United States. The ex-International F3000 Champion has since gone on to win three consecutive Champ Car titles while not being able to interest any F1 team bosses into giving him a try out. Even Mario Andretti who called Sir Frank Williams was unable to entice Williams into offering the Frenchman a test…
Now Scuderia Toro rosso will give Bourdais his first taste of F1 when “Sea Bass” tests for them at Jerez this week during Toro rosso’s 3 day program in Spain. Once again while Champ Car and the IRL refuse to merge it’ll be interesting to see how two of their brightest stars fair in similar equipment. Of course Marco Andretti will have the upper hand since the Honda is vastly superior vs. Toro Rosso’s machinery. Although both drivers will be making their F1 debuts, both are expected to continue with their current teams for 2007…

Scuderia Toro Rosso’s Makeover

Gerhard Berger, co-owner of Scuderia Toro Rosso has proposed the building of a brand new facility for the ex-Minardi Formula 1 team that Berger shares with Red Bull’s Dietrich Mateschitz…

Speed Bumps

Apparently there are rumours making the rounds that American Formula 1 driver Scott Speed may be in jeopardy of loosing his seat at Scuderia Toro Rosso next season?