Bourdais downplays expectations for 2008

Sebastien Bourdais has warned his fans not too expect too much from his first season in Grand Prix racing

Twenty-eight year-old Bourdais will finally race in Formula One with Scuderia Toro Rosso after winning four consecutive Champ Car titles.

But despite his experience and successes in America, the Frenchman says he is putting himself under no pressure for his rookie season.

"I don't want to put myself under pressure," he told the official Formula One website. "I want to enjoy what I am doing. Pressure is not a good thing as it can lead drivers to make mistakes.

"Seb Vettel has done thousands of kilometres testing with BMW, he has just done half a season of F1, whereas I've just arrived from the USA and, despite my experience, I am the rookie here. For the moment I just want to make the most of the time before the first race of 2008. If it took place tomorrow, I'd be stressed.

"I know a lot is expected of me, especially from the French, but I would ask them not to expect too much. If I can make it through to Q2 on a regular basis and score a few points here and there, I would be super happy. But I don't want to have any firm targets."

Bourdais, who will be partnered by Sebastian Vettel at the team next year, says he will have no problems teaming up with the young German, and he is not expecting to get preferential treatment for his titles.

"I am a champion in Champ Car not in F1. I still have a lot to learn. Vettel has much more F1 experience than me and even if we were Hamilton and Alonso I don't think we would be in the same situation.

"The interests of Toro Rosso are more important than those of the drivers. War between teammates is a selfish business and when a team has faith in you and invests in you, you owe it to them to give them something."