Tost: Bourdais will be a front-runner

Bourdais is joining Toro Rosso after taking four consecutive Champ Car titles and, although facing a steep learning curve in adapting to F1 machinery, Tost believes the Frenchman will be a match for Sebastian Vettel.

"During the winter we have completed a high mileage which has allowed Bourdais to get used to a new car, to get used to grooved tyres, a light F1 car compared to a heavy Champ car, to a car with power steering from a Champ car without it," Tost told his team's official website.

"All these factors combined are not so easy for a new driver to deal with but so far, Sebastien has done a good job. He has to get used to the rhythm of an F1 race weekend and the first few Grands Prix will not be so easy for him, but I expect he will be a front-runner from the fifth or sixth race onwards."

With a strong driver line-up, Tost is optimistic that Toro Rosso can improve their performances this year.

"Both drivers have a good relationship with the team and I hope this will translate into race results," he explained.

"Red Bull expects Toro Rosso to improve this year on our seventh place finish in the 2007 championship. We are improving our infrastructure as well, with new working areas and machinery. Step by step, we want to close the gap to the mid-field teams."

Tost said he hopes Toro Rosso's decision to run their old car at the start of the season would pay off in terms of them being able to capitalise on mechanical problems for their rivals' new cars.

"We will start the new season with STR2B, last year's car with some modifications, mainly to comply with the new regulations," he said. "We expect a high level of reliability in the first four races which will be a key to being successful in this period."