Senna to BMW or STR F1 team in 2009?
It is almost a certainty that Sebastian Vettel will move on to Red Bull's senior team at the end of this season, while current teammate Sebastien Bourdais is under contract only for 2008.
24-year-old Senna, currently second in the GP2 standings, has been mentioned as a possible successor.
"The driver question has not been discussed yet," Austrian Berger, the Faenza based team's 50 per cent co-owner, said in interview with Salzburger Nachrichten.
It is believed that Bourdais' contract includes an option for Toro Rosso to extend, while Vettel's deal is with Red Bull only.
"If a place with us should become free, it would make sense to fill it with a driver from the Red Bull new generation.
"If not, we will have to look somewhere else," Berger said.
He pointed out that Sebastien Buemi and Karun Chandhok, both near the pinnacle of the Red Bull driver ladder program, might not be ready for F1.
He added: "With his victory in Monaco, Senna moved into the field of vision. But a driver from the Red Bull sphere would be logical."
07/01/08 (GMM) GP2 driver Bruno Senna has dismissed as "rumors" speculation he is in serious talks with BMW-Sauber about 2009.
It was reported late last month that the 24-year-old, whose late uncle was the great Ayrton Senna, could become a test or race driver for the German squad next year.
BMW-Sauber's current race drivers are Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld, while Christian Klien and Marko Asmer make up the Hinwil based squad's 2008 test driver lineup.
The German magazine Sport Bild also said Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Williams may be interested in Senna, who currently lies second in the drivers' GP2 standings.
"I honestly don't know where these rumors come from," Senna told the magazine GPWeek.
"There's really nothing going on for the moment. Obviously it's great to be linked with a move to formula one and all these great teams, but these rumors have been going on forever."
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| Bruno Senna won the Monaco GP2 race |
06/25/08 (GMM) BMW-Sauber is in "intensive talks" with GP2 driver Bruno Senna about a formula one role for the Brazilian in 2009, according to reports.
The German magazine Sport Bild claims that Senna, the 24-year-old nephew of the late triple world champion, could become a test or even a full race driver for the Hinwil based squad next year.
Senna, second overall in the 2008 GP2 standings, won a race at the prestigious Monaco venue last month.
His quest to go all the way to formula one is backed by his uncle's friend and former McLaren teammate Gerhard Berger, who today co-owns the Toro Rosso team.
"I will help Bruno, and his family who looks out for his career, to do it. His development is obvious, and there is no doubt he has talent," the Austrian said.
Sport Bild claims that Berger discussed Senna at Magny-Cours with BMW-Sauber boss Mario Theissen, his former colleague as joint BMW motor sport director.
An insider confirmed: "Senna is determined to get a test and then BMW will decide."
The magazine also said Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Williams may be interested in Senna.
Bruno Senna, meanwhile, is personally backed by Santander, the Spanish bank that also sponsors McLaren.
For now, he is staying focused on his current task.
"I must continue to push and win races and podiums. Then I can dream a little bit more," Senna said.