Japanese veteran in pole position for STR drive in ‘09

Takuma Sato will test again for Toro Rosso at Jerez next week (on 10-11 December, to be specific). The Japanese driver, who raced for the now-defunct Super Aguri team at the start of the year, has tested for STR twice already, and he clearly impressed the team enough for them to take another look.

“We obviously see this as a positive step but still nothing is decided for the 2009 racing season,” said Matthew Winter, Taku’s commercial manager.

In the Sato/Bourdais/Buemi race-off, it now looks like Sebastien Bourdais could be the unlucky third man. Which would be a shame, especially as we believe the Frenchman has yet to perform to his true level - and with slick tyres making a comeback in 2009, the multiple CART champ would surely improve on his meek debut season.

That said, there are a lot of F1 fans who will welcome Sato back. Racing is never dull with Taku around.