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SEBASTIEN BOURDAIS

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Bourdais relishing 'huge opportunity'

Saturday 2nd February 2008

Sebastien Bourdais is eagerly awaiting his Formula One even though the former Champ Car Champion knows it won't result in any victories.

Bourdais, who has won the Champ Car title on four occasions, will be racing for the Toro Rosso outfit this season as he finally gets his breakthrough into Formula One.

And although the Frenchman understands he won't have the same success with the team that he had during his Champ Car career, he nonetheless feels he's made the right decision.

"Well, it's obviously a given thing, but it's also a huge opportunity for me. It was the right time as I wanted to do something other than Champ Car," he told the official F1 website.

"I felt that it was time for me to move on. I had my best years so far with those guys in the States but sometimes you have to go and search for other challenges.

"And then came the chance to race in Formula One - finally - and become part of the Red Bull family, so I will definitely give it my very best."

Bourdais will be teaming up with F1's other Sebastian, Sebastian Vettel, at Red Bull's junior team. But while he concedes that the German has the upper hand on him at present, he's hoping to level playing field by the time the season starts in Australia on March 16.

"He knows what to do in a Formula One car and he is doing it well. He's got no complex at all - he will just go for it. And for me it's the same. We are working together. We want to get the team to the best level," he said.

"Sure when it comes to qualifying and the race it is all for yourself. Your team mate is your first opponent because he is the only one who has the same equipment, so he is your benchmark. A

"t the moment we are quite close - so let's wait and see what happens when the first race weekend comes. True, he knows a lot more tracks than I do, he's got the experience with the team, how it functions with the qualifying mode. So if I can start at his level I will be quite happy."

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