02/01/2012
NEWS STORY
Mat Coch writes:
The life of a Toro Rosso driver is not an easy one. Part of the Red Bull family, the team exists to help identify and groom talented youngsters into world champions. Its record is mixed, for while the likes of Scott Speed and Vitantonio Liuzzi have fallen victim to the process Sebastian Vettel gives it merit.
So it came that at the end of the 2011 season both Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi found themselves out of a job. Both capable and talented youngsters neither had shown the traits the Red Bull programme was looking for and, rather than keeping them on and enjoying another somewhat competitive season, Toro Rosso dumped them both in favour of fresh blood. Given the team's stated position as a feeder outfit to Red Bull the decision makes sense, and it follows the brutally cut-throat management style the energy drinks driver development process has always adopted.
What made the decision difficult to swallow however was that, on balance, it wasn't such a bad year for the team. It scored 41 points, fifteen by Buemi and the rest by Alguersuari, and was within touching distance of finishing seventh in the constructors' title, losing out to Sauber by just three points. In the latter half of the year both drivers were frequently in the points, Alguersuari in particular, though it seems the damage had already been done.
Problem was it took until the Canadian Grand Prix for Alguersuari to record his first points finish, amid suggestions his position with the team was becoming less certain by the race. Rumours had linked Daniel Ricciardo with his seat, and it appears that it was the eighth place in Montreal that saved his bacon. From there on his season improved with a string of points finishes before the mid-season break setting him up to surpass teammate Buemi's points tally.
Buemi had a somewhat anonymous season. He scored consistently throughout the year but never looked better than a journeyman. He did what a driver in his position should do, which was reach the finish more often than not and score points at every opportunity, but in the world according to Red Bull that is not enough. In the latter half of the year he was outpaced by Alguersuari and given the Spaniard was under pressure for his seat, by default Buemi's position was also at risk. That came to a head in December when the team sacked the pair of them, Buemi reportedly in the team's simulator when he received word of his demise.
So Toro Rosso, thanks to a mandate from Red Bull, has set out its stall. It expects greatness, drives of epic proportions in line with those of Vettel; mediocrity is not acceptable and will be dealt with harshly. There is no doubt Buemi and Alguersuari are capable drivers, it's just that neither of them is the next Sebastian Vettel. Perhaps if the German hadn't come through the Red Bull system there would be more leniency and patience from Helmut Marko, though when the bar has been set so high even good drivers will fail to make the grade.
It's an ominous warming to Ricciardo and Vergne, who step in to the breach for next season. Toro Rosso gained ground towards the end of 2011 and must hope it doesn't lose any over the winter break. The drivers will be hoping as much because the team's performance will be as much a reflection on them as theirs will be on the team. Neither can afford a slow start, like Alguersuari had in 2011, and must hit the ground running.
That task should be easier for Ricciardo, who has some Formula One race experience. For Vergne however, currently the golden child of the Red Bull development programme, that job will be slightly more difficult as he comes to grips with a new car, new tyres and renewed pressure. He's made the leap up to Formula One, but as Martin Brundle has often said; getting there is easy, staying there much harder.
Points finishes and final-phase qualifying appearances are a must. Any less will see them tossed on to the scrapheap alongside the team's 2011 pairing. Should they succeed however a seat at Red Bull looks set to beckon for 2013.