Red Bull announce Sebastien Buemi as their reserve and test driver for 2012 – Formula 1 news
Red Bull announced that Sebastien Buemi will be playing the role of test and reserve driver for the upcoming 2012 Formula 1 season.
Buemi raced for Toro Rosso in 2011 and continued to work for Red Bull as well. Toro Rosso decided to let Buemi and teammate Jaime Alguersuari to be replaced by Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne. The decision Toro Rosso maintained was only taken to promote
the young drivers coming through Red Bull’s young driver programme as Toro Rosso have done in the previous years as well. The performances of their drivers were not in question.
“It's good to remain with Red Bull for another year and have this opportunity with the World Championship winning team,” Buemi said. “I would prefer to be driving at the races of course, but working with Red Bull Racing on the development of their car and
providing them with feedback throughout the season is the next best thing.”
Buemi had a mixed season as he secured 15 points for his team with a best place finish of 8th at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The performance does not reflect that he had to race in a much less competitive car then other teams on the grid.
“It was entirely logical for Sébastien to continue with Red Bull having been a member of the Junior Team since 2004,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said. “He already knows the team well from his time with us in 2008 and has gained significant
race experience over the past three years.”
Toro Rosso also confirmed on its website that although Buemi will make Red Bull his top priority but if the need arises, he will also serve as a reserve driver for Toro Rosso and will be able to take the cockpit for a race.
This move will also make Buemi an option for Red Bull to look into after Mark Webber’s contract ends at the end of 2012. Although there has been no confirmed news that Red Bull will require a driver after 2012 or if they are looking to give the Aussie an
extension of his contract beyond 2012 but it is being speculated that Webber will be making way for someone else to partner teammate Sebastian Vettel.
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