Zoom He's holding on to them for now

Sebastien Bourdais will have done his chances of a new Toro Rosso contract no harm at Spa-Francorchamps.

Amid a difficult rookie season, the multiple Champ Car title winner outshone his teammate Sebastian Vettel at the Belgian venue, albeit dropping behind in the chaos of the final laps.

"We will consider his overall performance of the weekend," team co-owner Gerhard Berger is quoted as saying by the French source RMC.

"Sebastien impressed us with a very solid performance, although we have not made a decision about the future yet," Berger added.

Berger said Bourdais, 29, has remained focused on his task amid all the speculation about the future of Toro Rosso's driver lineup.

"Let's give him the time to express himself," the former Grand Prix winner continued. "We will see what happens at Monza and after that as well. "

The Austrian also took the wind out of rumours that Sebastian Vettel may depart Toro Rosso before the end of the 2008 season.

It was whispered recently that David Coulthard could relinquish his seat at the senior Red Bull team a few races early, so that Vettel can get a head start for next year and Toro Rosso can assess potential replacements for the young German.

"No, that is really not going to happen!" Berger insisted to Kicker.

D.B. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM