Bourdais, five days of uncertainty

Wednesday, July 8
As the Nürburgring paddock gradually fills up, AUTOhebdo.fr exclusively announces the ouster of Sébastien Bourdais after the German GP. Many still believe in an unfounded rumor, but the Frenchman's days within STR are already numbered. The person concerned was only made aware of it a few hours ago.

Thursday July 9
Information about the eviction of Bourdais is going around the web and the name of Jaime Alguersuari, released the day before by El Mundo Deportivo, is cited as a probable successor to the Frenchman. The Spaniard is also in Germany to fulfill his role as reserve driver for the teams Red Bull et Toro Rosso. As such, he attends all technical meetings. Reigning champion of F3 British, he already has the FIA ​​Super License.

Arriving at the Nürburgring, Sébastien Bourdais discovers the extent of the announcement of his upcoming ouster. Already annoyed by the incessant questions from journalists, the pilot declares that he knows nothing about it and that he wants to concentrate on his race.

Friday July 10
Sébastien Bourdais takes his first laps during free practice for the German Grand Prix. At the wheel of a car in need of developments, he doesn't work miracles. The news of his ouster is still widely commented on in the paddock but the Frenchman sticks to his initial speech. On their side, Toro Rosso officials also refuse to deny the information. A silence that speaks volumes...

Saturday, July 11
Quoted in the columns of a sports daily, Sébastien Loeb says he is ready to take the Toro Rosso seat if the latter becomes free before the end of the season. Shortly after, the five-time world champion tempered his remarks and declared that his priority was to finish the championship first. WRC. But there is the possibility, if the conditions present themselves, of competing in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, scheduled after the last round of the World Rally Championship.

On the track, Sébastien Bourdais is no longer there. Taking over his teammate's settings, the Frenchman set the 20th and final time of Q1, a full second from the penultimate. Only a penalty imposed on Timo Glock allowed him to gain a place on the grid. At the same time, the name of Jaime Alguersuari resonates more and more loudly in the paddock as the Frenchman's likely successor.

Sunday, July 12
In one press release issued by Citroën Racing, Olivier Quesnel affirms that Sébastien Loeb will not do Formula 1 until the WRC is finished. The door is open, but Loeb's boss doesn't want him to make a fool of himself behind the wheel.a single-seater as uncompetitive as the Toro Rosso.

Asked about the starting grid, Nicolas Todt, Sébastien Bourdais' manager, confirms that the team is not satisfied with the Frenchman's results. Without saying it openly, he is ready to negotiate the premature end of his pilot's contract.

The German Grand Prix turned into a fiasco for Sébastien Bourdais, the first driver to retire after 18 laps with a hydraulic failure. The glances exchanged with the technical team, within which Bourdais has always benefited from a good rating, say, again, a lot. Asked by TF1 about his future in F1, Manceau loses his temper. At Toro Rosso, no one confirms that Sébastien Bourdais will still be there in Hungary.