Bourdais rules out F1 switch in 2007

The Frenchman was scheduled to get his first taste of Toro Rosso's car at Jerez in Spain today with a test that prompted speculation he could be in the frame for a race drive there next season.

But speaking to this week's Autosport magazine, Bourdais has made it clear that the test is only part of an assessment for 2008. He fully intends to fulfil his contract with Newman-Haas in Champ Car next year.

"This is just an evaluation and, if STR like what they see, it could lead somewhere in 2008," said Bourdais.  "If they don't, they can tell me to get lost!

"The cool thing is that quite a few F1 managers have been curious to see how I could do, but STR have actually done something about it.

"It came about through (manager) Nicolas Todt and sort of came from nowhere. I thought the window of opportunity to try out F1 had passed and the next day he contacted me!"

Toro Rosso have yet to confirm who their 2007 drivers will be, although team owner Gerhard Berger says that Vitantonio Liuzzi and Scott Speed are in 'pole position' to stay on board.

Berger told Autosport, however, that he wants to see how good Bourdais is.

"I would like to give him a chance," he said. "I think he's a guy doing an extremely good job in the States, and I would like to see where he is.

"He did quite well in Europe, and he's doing very well in the States, and I'd like to see where his potential is."