Buemi to land Toro Rosso ride? (3rd Update)

Sebastien Buemi

UPDATE This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today. Former Formula One driver Sebastien Buemi will remain in the all-electric Formula E series with Nissan in the 2018-19 season, the Japanese manufacturer said on Thursday.

Buemi has been removed from our 2019 F1 Silly Season Page

09/15/18 Sebastien Buemi was coy in his response as to whether he is on the shortlist for Toro Rosso in 2019.

Buemi drove for Toro Rosso between 2009 and 2011 before being dropped ahead of the 2012 season.

The 29-year-old has since gone on to be a World Endurance and Formula E champion, and also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans alongside Fernando Alonso and Kazuki Nakajima in 2018.

Buemi is also still on the books at Red Bull in a reserve role and was recently spotted having a seat fit, prompting rumors of a potential return.

But Buemi has said he is only focused on his current responsibilities.

“I’m the reserve driver for Red Bull and Toro Rosso," Buemi told Sky Sports F1. “That is why I am here this weekend [in Singapore].

“Normally I am in the simulator but this weekend I am here."

Asked about his recent seat fit with Toro Rosso, he added: “I’m just doing what they asked me to do and they wanted me to have a seat fit.

“Of course I need to have a seat just in case something happens to one of the other drivers and that is all I can say so far.

“My programs in the WEC and Formula E are already lined up, everything is possible in that world but of course I am just focusing on my reserve role here and we’ll see."

Buemi was then quizzed whether he has any FP1 outings lined up with Toro Rosso ahead of a possible return.

He replied: “Not that I am aware of. I have not been told about that."

One driver definitely not in contention at Toro Rosso is Mick Schumacher, with Dr Helmut Marko saying he is not a target despite his sudden surge up the European F3 leaderboard.

09/10/18 (GMM) Sebastien Buemi has moved into pole position for a return to formula one next year.

The now 29-year-old Swiss contested over 50 races for Toro Rosso until 2011, going on to become a top sports car and Formula E driver.

But now with Pierre Gasly moving to Red Bull Racing, and Brendon Hartley having underperformed this season, Buemi is very much back in the running.

He had a seat fitting at Toro Rosso's Faenza base late last week.

However, team boss Franz Tost told Blick newspaper: "It is not planned that Sebastien will be used by us this year."

But he also admitted that Buemi is "not commenting right now".

Dr Helmut Marko, the boss of Red Bull's F1 program, admitted that he will meet with Buemi in Singapore this weekend.

"I know that we have recently renewed the contract with Buemi as a simulator driver for another year. In Singapore we also have a meeting with him.

"But on Saturday he has to go back to a Formula E test," Marko said.

One theory is that the Buemi rumors will pressure the struggling Hartley to either up his game or crumble out of F1 completely.

"All speculation," Marko insists. "It's a lot of excitement about nothing.

"Buemi has certainly been a topic, but his contracts with other series and Toyota were unfortunately always in the way of a comeback," he added.

09/05/18 Toro Rosso has fueled rumors that Sebastien Buemi could be set for a surprise return to the team as the Italian outfit looks to replace the departing Pierre Gasly.

The team posted a photo of the 2015-16 Formula E champion undergoing a seat fitting, captioned: "Ciao Seb! Our reserve driver stopped by earlier today for another seat fit."

Whilst it's not unusual for a reserve driver to undergo a seat fitting, it's often something that takes place before the season has begun, whilst a second fitting in the same chassis isn't so common and some would say unnecessary, unless a driver has drastically changed shape/weight.

Also, given it's happening at a time when the 2018 'silly season' is very much in full swing and Toro Rosso are hunting for a replacement to partner Brendon Hartley – or maybe even two drivers for an all-new line-up given Hartley's under performance – and with limited options available after Lando Norris, a prime target for Red Bull, was announced at McLaren, Buemi is certainly a contender for the vacant seat.

Whilst it could well be an innocent photo, it adds to speculation as to just who might be announced at the Red Bull junior team, with only a handful of names being mentioned alongside Buemi's, including Daniil Kvyat and the recently available Stoffel Vandoorne. He has been added to our 2019 F1 Silly Season Page