F1: Red Bull Names Buemi Test And Reserve Driver

Formula 1

F1: Red Bull Names Buemi Test And Reserve Driver

After spending last season as a race driver at Toro Rosso, Sebastien Buemi will remain in the Red Bull family for 2012...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted January 05, 2012 Balen (BEL)

Sebastien Buemi will still maintain a presence on F1 weekends next season. (Photo: Getty Images)

Sebastien Buemi has been given a F1 lifeline after landing the role of test and reserve driver at Red Bull Racing, for whom he undertook a similar job in 2008.

He has been given the nod over his erstwhile Toro Rosso teammate Jaime Alguersuari, who is still looking for a job.

Buemi’s focus will be on using Red Bull’s simulator in Milton Keynes, which he already knows well from his time with STR.

RBR team boss Christian Horner said: “It was entirely logical for Sébastien to continue with Red Bull having been a member of the Junior Team since 2004. He already knows the team well from his time with us in 2008 and has gained significant race experience over the past three years. He will complete important test and simulation work for us throughout the year and will be in attendance at each Grand Prix.”

Buemi added: “It’s good to remain with Red Bull for another year and have this opportunity with the World Championship winning team. I would prefer to be driving at the races, of course, but working with Red Bull Racing on the development of their car and providing them with feedback throughout the season is the next best thing.”

Meanwhile, Buemi is in the unusual position of also being reserve driver for the team that has dropped him, as he will also have that role for sister team Toro Rosso.

The Italian team confirmed on its website today: "If for any reason, Scuderia Toro Rosso found itself short of a driver at a Grand Prix, then Sébastien would step into the cockpit for us."

Adam Cooper notched up his 26th season as a racing journalist in 2010. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.