Sebastien Buemi will continue as Red Bull Racing’s reserve driver in the 2019 F1 season alongside his two other commitments.
Buemi took the test and reserve role with the senior Red Bull team in 2012 after his stint with Toro Rosso ended in 2011. Since then, the Swiss driver has remained with the outfit – not only helping them in the factory but also with some test runs on track.
The 2019 season will be Buemi’s ninth year with Red Bull after joining in their Junior Team in 2008 when he raced in the GP2 Series (now Formula 2). He made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2009 and raced for them in 55 races until 2011.
While he stayed on as Red Bull’s reserve, he actively raced in the FIA World Endurance Championship with Toyota since 2012 and dovetailed it with competing in the FIA Formula E Championship from 2014/15 season onward.
Together with his teammates, Buemi won the 2014 WEC title and most recently, the 2018 Le Mans 24 Hours race, while he clinched the Formula E drivers’ championship with Renault e.Dams in the 2015/16 season – he now races with the re-branded Nissan e.Dams outfit.
Like he continues racing in WEC and Formula E, Buemi will also keep his Red Bull F1 role as confirmed by the team ahead of the 2019 F1 season start in full support to the regular drivers Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly.
“If there’s anything that aids a team’s quest for performance as it enters a new era of competition it’s continuity. The ability to draw upon an experienced skill set that can expertly and accurately define a way forward is a key attribute in quickening the rate of development, pace and power.
“And there’s no better source of experience and continuity than our test and reserve driver Sebastien Buemi, for whom 2019 will represent a remarkable ninth year as a member of the Red Bull Racing driver roster.
“Sebastien continues to be a highly valued member of the Red Bull Racing team and he’ll once again help drive the team forward in 2019,” read the bio of Buemi on the team’s updated website.
The Swiss driver’s experience will come in handy as the team embarks on a new journey with Honda as their engine partner. Also, with Daniel Ricciardo moving out, Buemi can play a solid support to the relatively young drivers, Verstappen and Gasly.