Sebastien Bourdais

US star faces new challenge

Born: 28/2/79 Nationality: French Team: Toro Rosso First GP: Australia 2008 Best result: N/A 2007 position: N/A Previous teams: N/A

Four American Champ Car titles mean Sebastien Bourdais is used to the view from the top of the podium but it may be some time before he enjoys it in F1.

Previous Champ Car winners who have moved to F1, such as Alex Zanardi, Juan Pablo Montoya and Jacques Villeneuve, have enjoyed very mixed fortunes.

In the past Bourdais has driven F1 cars for Arrows and Renault so he has some idea what to expect in his new class.

But success in the US is no guarantee of being able to make the grade in F1.