14/07/2009
NEWS STORY
Although the Italian team is refusing to comment, it is widely expected that an announcement is imminent and that Spanish hot-shot Jaime Alguersuari will replace Sebastien Bourdais in Hungary next week.
Having failed to make his mark in his second season of F1, there has been widespread speculation over Bourdais' future for some time. However, another retirement at the weekend and the fact that he has been out-qualified seven times by his rookie teammate, Sebastien Buemi, appears to have been the last straw for the Faenza based outfit.
The team continues to insist "we do not comment on rumours generated in the media", however, even Alguersuari himself is now telling the Spanish media that the Toro Rosso drive is his.
Bourdais, who appeared to bid a poignant farewell to technical director Giorgio Ascanelli on the pitwall on Sunday, was, in the eyes of many, lucky to retain his seat following a largely disappointing debut season in 2008. The Frenchman subsequently taking part in a shoot-out with Takuma Sato for the second 2009 seat.
Should he line up on the grid in Hungary next week, Alguersuari, winner of the 2008 British F3 Championship, will become the youngest ever driver in the history of the sport.
Ironically, the Spaniard is due to take part in World Series by Renault event at Le Mans this weekend, Bourdais' home town.