Red Bull reserve driver Sebastien Buemi could look at a sportscar programme in the 2012 season, in an effort to keep himself at the steering wheel of something throughout his year on the sidelines with the Red Bull operation.
Buemi was confirmed as the new Red Bull reserve driver last week, after losing his race seat with the Toro Rosso squad at the end of 2011.
For 2012, although he will remain with the Red Bull organisation, his chances of driving will be somewhat limited.
So the Swiss driver has suggested that he would likely look for alternative drives for the new season, suggesting that a Le Mans bid would be high on his agenda.
"Ideally I would couple Formula 1 with a different [type of racing], such as endurance," he told the Swiss Le Matin newspaper.
He added: "I like the Le Mans 24 Hours a lot. There is no Grand Prix on [the Le Mans] weekend, so it would be possible.
"The big teams will start their testing soon, so I could participate as well."
He said that he was hoping to confirm his final plans for the year in the coming weeks, saying: "I will probably be able to announce the details of what I will be doing in 2012 fairly soon."
As for his current status in F1, Buemi admitted that he had not been expecting Toro Rosso to drop him after 2011, but said his new role with RBR was the best step to take.
"Obviously I was surprised and was not expecting the [Toro Rosso] decision at all," he mused.
"But the Red Bull people immediately offered me the job as third driver and I thought about it before agreeing.
"Being close to them will be the best way to get a spot on their team one day in the future."
He added that his reserve role with a top team would likely work out better for him than opting for a race drive with a backmarking team.
"Actually I think it's better to be the third driver in the best team than to race at the bottom of the grid," he beamed.
"Since December I was in contact with other teams as I had opportunities elsewhere."
He added: "But ultimately the best solution was to stay with Red Bull.
"Now it's up to me to do my best in the simulator to prove to them that I am qualified in case Mark Webber's contract is not renewed for 2013."
His longer term plans are still open, with Buemi explaining: "The contract I've signed covers just one year.
"After that I have not been promised anything so we'll see."
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
