APRIL 9, 2002

Sebastien Bourdais talking to Sauber

FRANCE's big hope for the future Sebastien Bourdais, who is currently racing for Super Nova Racing in Formula 3000, was in talks with Sauber in Brazil about the possibility of becoming the test driver for the Swiss team. Bourdais is in his third season of Formula 3000 and was on pole position in Brazil although he had mechanical trouble and did not figure after the first few laps of the race.

Bourdais is believed to have some support from Renault Sport but is not under contract to the team or to team boss Flavio Briatore.

Sauber is also believed to be looking at a couple of younger drivers who are competing in Formula Renault at the moment. They are Poland's Robert Kubica and Holland's Carlo Van Dam. Both men are part of the Renault Junior team.