JANUARY 3, 2007

Bourdais willing to start at the bottom

Sebastien Bourdais enjoyed his Formula 1 test with Scuderia Toro Rosso in December and it seems that he is looking very seriously about a deal in 2008. Bourdais's F1 activities are now being managed by Nicolas Todt, who manages Felipe Massa as well as running the ART GP2 team, and there is no doubt that this will probably help the Frenchman's cause as the team uses Ferrari engines and Todt's father is none other than Ferrari boss (and Frenchman) Jean Todt.

Bourdais will stay at Newman Haas Racing in Champ Car in 2007, having missed the option to go elsewhere, which passed on September 15, and he is now aiming for an unprecedented fourth straight title. After that, however, he is free to do as he pleases and returning to Europe to race in F1 is something he wants to do.

"I've got to accept the fact I might have to enter (F1) by way of the small door," he said. "This looks like a good way to do it."

It is expected that the team will soon name Tonio Liuzzi and Scott Speed for another season.