Bourdais - Money a factor

Bourdais: No quick decision

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Sebastien Bourdais has said that the race seats available at Toro Rosso next season could be settled in favour of candidates who bring sponsorship money.

Both berths are up for grabs for next year, with the Frenchman not guaranteed of a second season at Toro Rosso having spent 2008 largely in the shadow of Sebastian Vettel.

With Vettel having joined Red Bull, Bourdais tested for Toro Rosso in Barcelona this week alongside Takuma Sato and Sebastien Buemi - the session effectively amounting to a 'shoot-out' for 2009.

Despite his precarious position, Bourdais, who joined Toro Rosso after clinching his fourth successive Champ Car title in the United States, told the official F1 website he in fact held a three-year contract with the team.

"It was not a one-year contract, it was a three-year deal, obviously with options," he said.

"And in the end it does not matter whether you have a three-year deal or not - there is always a line in the contract which says that if they are not happy with you they can get rid of you.

"The fact is that there is no such thing as a sure deal in racing, whether it is Formula One or any other series. As long as it works it's good for everyone and then it is all rosy, but if it doesn't work out as expected, then ciao!

"That's the way it is."

Prediction

Bourdais predicted that financial backing will be a factor in Toro Rosso's decision and hinted that he may race elsewhere should a suitable offer arise in the meantime.

He also said that, with Rubens Barrichello and Bruno Senna also candidates for the seats, he did not expect a decision anytime soon.

"As far as I am concerned I don't see a decision being made any time soon because I don't see anybody being able to guarantee money right now, or tomorrow or the next day," he added.

"I think it will drag on for quite some time and I am a professional driver and at some point I will need to make sure that I have a job for next year. And when the time comes I will have to make a decision.

"There have been three drivers in Barcelona, but Rubens (Barrichello) is on the list and Bruno (Senna) as well - if he doesn't get picked up by Honda - so anybody who has got talent and money today is a potential candidate."