Ayrton Senna’s nephew may graduate to F1 next year

Bruno Senna, the nephew of the late, great Ayrton, is in “intensive talks” with BMW Sauber regarding a test-driver spot in 2009.

Sport Bild claims that the talented young Brazilian, currently competing in GP2, could even replace struggling Nick Heidfeld - we can’t see that happening next year, although Senna’s arrival in F1 is inevitable; think of the huge interest his name alone would generate for the sport.

Sport Bild also reports that Gerhard Berger, who was a great friend of Ayrton’s, discussed Senna Jnr’s future at Magny-Cours with BMW’s Mario Theissen. An insider confirmed: “Senna is determined to get a test, and then BMW will decide.”

Grid Crasher can’t wait to see another Senna in F1, but Bruno is more likely to begin his career at a smaller team than BMW - Toro Rosso seems like a good bet, especially as they are part-owned by Berger.

Watch Senna take out a stray dog in Turkey, earlier this year