Test schedules belie ‘silly season’ theories
As Fernando Alonso's manager last week met with Red Bull chiefs in Madrid, it was suggested that they discussed how to make room for the McLaren refugee in 2008.
One theory is that multiple Champ Car champion Sebastien Bourdais, who is due to switch to Toro Rosso next year, could be asked to spend one final season in the United States.
That would allow contracted Red Bull driver David Coulthard to switch to Gerhard Berger's junior team, thus vacating a seat for Alonso.
But it now emerges that Frenchman Bourdais, 28, is due to join Toro Rosso as scheduled as post-season testing kicks off next week in Barcelona. He will drive for three full days.
Also scheduled to test at Circuit de Catalunya is Heikki Kovalainen, who is speculatively among the leading contenders for Alonso's newly vacant McLaren race seat.
But the Finn, who also remains under contract to Renault, will test not for McLaren, but for his existing French team.
Nelson Piquet Jr, strongly tipped to replace Giancarlo Fisichella at Renault next year, will also attend the test in Spain.