From GMM

Scuderia Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost has told a Swiss newspaper that Sebastien Buemi will be signed to make his formula one race debut with the Faenza based team in 2009.

The Swiss teenager this week tested the team's STR3 car at Jerez, as did Takuma Sato, as Toro Rosso looks to replace the Red Bull-bound Sebastian Vettel.

Tost, who admits that Buemi is team part owner Red Bull's recommended driver for the post, told Le Matin that he was delighted with the youngster's performance in Spain.

"After what we have seen this week, and as long as we manage to find a suitable experienced driver to be next to him, I think we can take the risk to have Sebastien with us in 2009," he said.

"You can take that as an official declaration," Tost added.

The team's Austrian-born boss continued of Buemi: "He is very, very talented, and as we belong to the Red Bull family, we must help to support their drivers."

A race contract with Buemi has not yet been signed because "we are not in a hurry", but Tost indicated that it is only a matter of time.

Sato, the 31-year-old veteran of approaching 100 grands prix, remains an outside chance for a 2009 seat at Toro Rosso, especially while the future of Sebastien Bourdais is unclear.

"If they need me, I would be ready," the Japanese is quoted as saying by Switzerland's Blick newspaper.