Dec.8 (GMM) Sebastien Buemi insists he is not disappointed about staying at Toro Rosso in 2010 following Toyota’s decision to withdraw from formula one.
The Swiss 21-year-old, who impressed on debut with Red Bull’s junior team this year, recently revealed he had talks with Toyota prior to the Japanese giant’s decision to quit the sport.
Asked by the Swiss daily Le Matin if he is disappointed to instead be facing a second season with the Faenza based team, Buemi answered: “No, absolutely not.
“There was some discussion (with Toyota), that’s all. It was an opportunity like any other. I don’t have any problem with Toro Rosso,” he added, confirming that his new contract takes him to the end of the 2010 season.
Pressed for what he will do in 2011 and beyond, Buemi continued: “There are options and we’ll see what happens.”
He played down expectations about 2010 with Toro Rosso, who for the first time will field a car designed in-house rather than by Red Bull Technology’s Adrian Newey.
“Obviously it would be nice to win a GP, but you have to be realistic. I am with one of the smallest teams in F1. I have to score points, show what I can do and attract a big team to get the chance to drive a car to win races.
“You also have to have a bit of luck, being in the right place at the right time,” said Buemi, who was this week named sportsman of the year for his native Swiss region of Vaud.
He said the world will see Toro Rosso’s 2010 car for the first time when it is displayed at Valencia on January 30, prior to the first major pre-season test.
