Former Red Bull prodigy, Sebastien Buemi, recently lifted the lid on conversations he had with the company about a potential return to Formula 1. However, the Swiss driver decided against rejoining the premier motorsport event, preferring to continue his successful run in other racing platforms.
In a candid interview, Buemi revealed how he was on the verge of a comeback to Formula 1 with Red Bull, the company he had previously represented. The Swiss driver had made a significant mark in the racing world, securing multiple wins in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the coveted Le Mans 24 Hours. Despite his exceptional track record, Buemi’s Formula 1 journey was comparatively less triumphant.
Heralded as a rising star in Red Bull’s junior programme in the early years, Buemi found a spot as the test and reserve driver for Red Bull in the 2008 season. By 2009, he had earned a race seat and joined the Toro Rosso team, making him the first Swiss driver since Jean-Louis Deletraz to compete in F1.
Despite a respectable performance over three seasons, Buemi was unable to secure any extraordinary victories. His best finishes were two seventh-place results in his debut championship year. However, his fortunes turned once he left Formula 1, following Red Bull’s decision to exclude him from their lineup in 2012.
The subsequent decade saw Buemi rise to prominence in the WEC, securing four titles as part of Toyota’s lineup, and repeatedly securing podium finishes. Alongside his WEC success, Buemi was also part of the victorious team at the Le Mans 24 Hours four times and won the Formula E championship for Renault e.Dams in 2015/16. Currently, he continues to be part of Toyota’s WEC team and drives for Envision Racing in Formula E.
Buemi’s relative lack of success in Formula 1 is often attributed to his inexperience at the time of his selection and the uncompetitive machinery he was provided. However, years later, Red Bull presented the opportunity of a comeback. The Swiss driver revealed that he had discussions about a return in the late 2010s as Toro Rosso was frequently reshuffling their driver line-ups, trying to accommodate their drivers following Max Verstappen’s swift promotion to the senior team.
“We had a conversation with Christian Horner and Dr. [Helmut] Marko in 2018,” Buemi shared. Despite the enticing offer, Buemi chose to stick with his successful roles in Formula E and with Toyota. His decision was further cemented by the fact that Red Bull could not match the salary he was earning in Formula E and WEC.
Although things did not pan out as expected with Red Bull, Buemi held no ill feelings towards the company and expressed his gratitude for the opportunities provided. He recognized the difficulty in accepting the decision at the time but chose to focus on his future and excelled in WEC and Formula E.
While Buemi’s journey in Formula 1 may not have been as successful as his other ventures, his story serves as a reminder that the right team and timing play a pivotal role in a racer’s career trajectory. As for Buemi, he found his true calling outside Formula 1 and has left an indelible mark in the world of motorsport.