Bourdais was in competition against former Super Aguri and Honda driver, Takuma Sato, who was rumoured to bring in the additional sponsorship funding that Toro Rosso required.

Bourdais is set to return to the car, next week for the Jerez test, where he will be at the wheel of the car for two days of the test.

Looking forward to the 2009 season, a new team mate and a whole raft of new regulations, as Bourdais starts his second year in Formula One.

"It has been a very long and difficult winter, but now the waiting is finally over and I am really excited about tackling my second season with Scuderia Toro Rosso," said Bourdais.

"I would like to thank Red Bull and Dietrich Mateschitz for this opportunity to continue with a team that made so much progress last year.

"Now, I can focus on preparing for the coming season. It promises to be a very interesting one, thanks to all the rule changes and I'm also looking forward to establishing a good relationship with my new teammate, Sebastien Buemi, to ensure both of us do the best possible job for the team and for Red Bull." 

However, Toro Rosso team boss, Franz Tost, hopes that Bourdais can improve on his 2008 season, where the end of the year saw him finally get to grips with the car.

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