The news that Sebastien Bourdais had been confirmed as a Toro Rosso driver for this year was welcome in many ways. Even a month ago, Bourdais' chances looked slim, with STR apparently interested mainly in driver's sponsorship money being brought to the team. This is a terrible way to decide on drivers and, as I have said before, Sebastien was the good sense option having proved quick and reliable when fate was not against him last year. Add to that his experience and learning from 2008 and he was clearly the hottest property in F1 over the winter. Most fans would agree with that, I think.
Sebastien Bourdais
It was an interesting decision too in that it went counter to STR's previous management style. In the past, the team has been content to keep drivers hanging on until the last moment before announcing their choice; this time the announcement came soon enough to catch us by surprise.
The difference is Dietrich Mateschitz, of course. With Gerhard Berger no longer running the team, Mateschitz has taken charge and already shows the decisiveness and common sense that was so lacking before. Whereas Berger seemed to thrive on conflict with his drivers, Mateschitz is very supportive, as demonstrated by his continued belief in Scott Speed at a time when the STR management could not wait to get rid of him. Consider, too, the common sense evident in Mateschitz's public statement on the matter.
Which all seems a better way to go about things and must surely be good news for the team. The danger was that the majority of Mateschitz's energies would be concentrated on the Red Bull team in 2009 and that STR would suffer as a result; the decision to retain Bourdais' services is a good sign that Mateschitz will be able to direct both teams effectively.
Finally, the decision was good for F1 itself. All too often recently we have seen the sport treat people badly, with popular races being summarily scratched from the calendar, the fanbase insulted by Mosley's suggestion that anyone who disagrees with him is ignorant, arbitrary increases in licence fees imposed without warning and the GPDA shoved aside as the FIA and FOTA decide that only they know what is best. To see Bourdais rewarded with another season at STR is no more than he deserves and a breath of fresh air in the sport. For once, the right choice has been made.