Bourdais to F1 in 2007

UPDATE #2 We are reopening this rumor back up to 'speculation' today. BMW Sauber are also looking for a new full-time tester after Poland's Robert Kubica was promoted to a race seat two races ago and looks set to keep the role next year.

German teenager Sebastian Vettel, 19, will keep the test seat for the rest of the season after setting the pace in Turkish free practice, but looks likely to battle with double ChampCar champion Sebastien Bourdais for the role next year. Eurosport

The word AutoRacing1.com is getting, however, is that Bourdais won't agree to be a test driver for a year without some guarantee of a regular drive in 2008.

07/28/06 We are downgrading this rumor to 'false' today as our sources tell us there was no truth to this Mexican website story linked below.

07/26/06 If this Mexican website is correct, Sebastien Bourdais will replace Jacques Villeneuve in the BMW Sauber F1 team in 2007.

If true, it's too bad that Villeneuve would not take his seat at Newman/Haas. Champ Car races in Canada, not France, so having Villeneuve in the Champ Car Series would be a big boost. However, Jacques has said he has no interest in anything other than F1.