The Red Bull Racing team have confirmed that Sebastien Buemi will remain part of their setup for the 2012 season despite being released by Toro Rosso, with the Swiss driver becoming the team's official test and reserve driver.
Reports of Buemi's move into the reserve role emerged at the start of the week, and the team confirmed the switch on Thursday.
Buemi had raced for Toro Rosso since the start of 2009, but appeared set to leave Formula One at the end of 2011 when the Red Bull junior squad released both him and team mate Jaime Alguersuari.
But he has been rescued from the F1 scrapyard with a new role as Red Bull reserve driver, which will see him help the team to develop their new RB8 car throughout the season.
And Buemi said after the announcement that this role was the "next best thing" to an F1 race seat for the year ahead.
"It's good to remain with Red Bull for another year and have this opportunity with the World Championship-winning team," he grinned as optimistically as he could.
"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."
Although team boss Christian Horner suggested that there would be no Friday practice duties for the Swiss driver, he did suggest that Buemi would get the chance to test during the season.
"It was entirely logical for Sebastien to continue with Red Bull having been a member of the Junior Team since 2004," he grinned.
"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 added: "He will complete important test and simulation work for us throughout the year and will be in attendance at each grand prix."
Buemi finished 15th in the 2011 championship, having scored 15 points throughout the season.
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