Buemi looks to Le Mans

Sébastien Buemi, dropped by Toro Rosso but hired as a third driver for Red Bull, may turn to the Le Mans 24 Hour Race for more track time.

Limitations on testing in Formula One mean that the Swiss will get very little driving done in F1 unless one of his team mates, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, is sidelined. Buemi thinks that racing at Le Mans this year will keep his options open and enable him to maintain his focus and sharpness.

In an interview on the web site of the French Le Matin newspaper, Buemi discussed his options.

So here you find yourself as a teammate to Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, but only behind the scenes.

Sébastien Buemi: "Yes, I am very happy to be able to sign this contract. I think it was the best option for me and it's the logical continuation of my three seasons at Toro Rosso. We must not forget that Red Bull has supported me since 2004.

Red Bull's third driver, what does this mean in practice? 

"I am part of the world champion team, like the other two drivers. I am going to all the races and will be at all the practice sessions to be ready to replace one of the two race drivers in case of problems. More importantly, I will help develop the car on the simulator which will be a very important part of my work. This will happen at the factory in Milton Keynes, England, and this will allow me to familiarise myself with the team engineers. Being close to them will be the best way to get a spot on their team, one day in the future.

This program does not, however, allows you to train on the track... 

"Not in F1, at least not until there is no demand on the part of the team. But I must be ready to jump into the car at all times. To keep control, I will continue my physical training, and I'll try to find a complementary formula in another car. The ideal is to couple the F1 championship with a different one, such as endurance racing. Participating in the Le Mans 24 Hour Race - this I would like a lot.

With F1 in your program would you be able to do it? 

"There is no grand prix for the weekend of the Le Mans 24-Hour Race, so it would be possible. The big teams will start their private testing soon, so I could participate too. I will probably soon be able to announce details of what my program in 2012 will be.

How have you accepted the decision of Toro Rosso in December? 

"Obviously, I was surprised, I was not expecting it at all. But the people at Red Bull immediately offered the job as third driver. I thought about it, and I finally agreed.

What guarantees have you been given for the 2013 season?

"The contract I just signed covers only one year. After that, I have not been promised anything, so we'll see. It is very difficult to predict what will happen in 2013 because many drivers will have their contracts ending this season. There will be places to take, and we'll have to take the opportunity.

You say you're happy with your decision, but would the best not have been to compete in grands prix, like last year? Being dropped from Toro Rosso to become a third driver, as in 2008, is that not a form of regression? 

"I do not see it that way. Of course, the best thing is to drive. But in reality, I think it is better to become the third driver in the best team rather than a driver in small teams from the bottom of the grid. Since December, I was in contact with other teams and I had opportunities elsewhere, but ultimately the best solution was to stay with Red Bull. I will be at the factory very often, and I will attend all their promotion days. I will be an integral part of the best team on the grid, and it is obviously very positive. Now it is up to me to provide feedback on the simulator to prove to them that I am qualified to drive the Red Bull, in case the contract of Mark Webber is not be renewed in 2013."

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