Bourdais wants a car that suits his style

The Frenchman has struggled for most of the season with the handling characteristics of the STR3, which has low-speed oversteer and high-speed understeer that he does not like.

And although his recent performances in Valencia and Spa-Francorchamps have boosted his hopes of securing a second season in F1, he still thinks it only worth him carrying on if has the chance to show his full potential in the sport.

"Obviously I would like to stay, but it all depends on what the expectations are," said Bourdais, who came close to a podium finish in Belgium. "If their (Toro Rosso's) expectations are for me to adapt to a car I don't like, then I don't think it's a good idea to keep me.

"If they believe in my potential and my perception of things, which I personally believe can lead to an even better car because it has always been the way I function, then yes, we should definitely give it a try, keep on working and make it better."

Bourdais said his performance in Belgium, where he topped the times in Q1 and ran well in the race, does at least provide some proof of what he is capable of when the car is to his liking.

He confesses that the new aerodynamic package introduced on the STR3 at the French Grand Prix has made the car pretty undriveable for him.

When asked if he felt his performance in Belgium eased the pressure on him over next year's seat, he said: "I have felt really shit to be honest since Magny-Cours, not because I got kicked by my teammate because he is stronger is stronger, but I am convinced I am not any slower than Sebastian in a car where I am comfortable.

"It is just if I'm not comfortable then I am going to get kicked quite clearly. So if Spa eases the pressure off I don't know.

"It will ease not much but for sure I will feel more comfortable that the reason why I don't perform well in this car was understood and accepted, and then maybe fixed later on. For sure if I am judged upon my performance on this car where I am a shadow of myself then it is just frustrating.

"It is not pressure or anything, it is plain frustrating. I didn't think it was going to be like what has happened. If I had known it would be the drag to drive the car weekend after weekend, where I can't drive it, then let's face it, what is the point? I am useless.

"If you end up where you are a driver and you can't complain, where there is nothing you can do other than drive, then I am just doing half my job. I have never really been good at doing half my job.

"People say, 'oh he is bitching, he is never happy, he is doing this or doing that' then at the end of the day - who cares? Nobody cares. The truth is they only want results. I know why things are happening and if people want to know why, then here is the explanation. I only feel good when I do my job."