05/08/2008
NEWS STORY
Toro Rosso boss Gerhard Berger admits that he is keeping a close watch on GP2 starlet Bruno Senna, nephew of his great friend and former teammate, the legendary Ayrton Senna.
Berger has mentored Bruno since he took up racing after a 10-year family ban, imposed in the wake of his Uncle's death. The Austrian revealing that he was first approached by the youngster's mother Viviane, Ayrton's sister.
"She wanted me to see that he was making the right moves, and I decided to help," said the Austrian, according to the Daily Telegraph. "He reminds me of Ayrton. He's very switched on, very quick-thinking."
With Senna just 7 points behind Giorgio Pantano in the fight for the GP2 Series title, there is genuine excitement among F1 fans, including the sport's ring-master, Bernie Ecclestone, that the Senna name might return to the World Championship.
"I run a team in partnership with Red Bull, and shouldn't mix personal things with business," admits Berger. "But if Bruno is clearly the best candidate, then we'll discuss it.
"Anyway, if he's GP2 champion, it doesn't matter what his name is."
With Sebastian Vettel heading to Red Bull, and Sebastien Bourdais failing to inspire, there could well be two vacancies up for grabs at the Faenza-based team next season. Senna being just one of several names on Berger's shopping list, fellow GP2 title contender Sebastian Buemi being another.