Planet-F1

Aussie points justify Bourdais's signing

Monday 17th March 2008

Toro Rosso are singing the praises of Sebastien Bourdais after he joined a select group to have scored points in their debut race.

Bourdais, a four-times Champ Car Champion, took part in his debut F1 grand prix in Australia on Sunday afternoon. It took place six years after his first F1 test, a long wait for a driver who many thought may have missed his F1 chance.

However, Toro Rosso opted to take a chance that Bourdais could move from the American series to F1 racing and continue to be a success. And that chance paid off in Melbourne on Sunday when he bagged two points in his debut race.

"Bourdais proved all through the weekend that he was the right choice to put alongside (Sebastian) Vettel," said Toro Rosso co-owner Gerhard Berger.

"He was a bit unlucky in qualifying but he had a fantastic race, fighting with the best, and he managed to keep his position even towards the end on old tyres.

"He made no mistakes, reading the race in the right way from beginning to end."

Bourdais became the 57th driver to score on his debut, joining a list that includes his team-mate Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen.