Sebastien Buemi will continue to act as Red Bull’s Formula 1 test and reserve driver in 2019.
Buemi raced in Formula 1 with Toro Rosso from 2009 through 2011, taking a best finish of seventh, having been backed by Red Bull during his junior single-seater career.
Buemi was dropped from Toro Rosso’s Formula 1 line-up for 2012 but retained a strong connection with Red Bull, accepting a position as its test and reserve driver.
Red Bull’s focus on developing youngsters has meant Buemi has participated in only one test day during that period, sampling the squad’s RB10 in 2014.
Buemi has nonetheless continued to race successfully in other categories, most prominently in the World Endurance Championship and Formula E.
Toyota racer Buemi took the 2014 WEC title and currently leads the 2018/19 standings, along with co-drivers Fernando Alonso and Kazuki Nakajima, having triumphed at Le Mans last year.
He also took the 2016/17 Formula E title with Renault e.dams and holds ninth in this season’s nascent standings, with Nissan having replaced its sister company at the organisation.
Buemi will therefore continue to assist Red Bull with its Formula 1 operations, with his primary task ostensibly to carry out running in its simulator.
Sportscar racer Jake Dennis and next-in-line protégé Dan Ticktum also carry out simulator duties for Red Bull.
Buemi was briefly linked with a 2019 Toro Rosso race seat but Red Bull ultimately signed Formula 2 title contender and ex-junior Alexander Albon to partner the returning Daniil Kvyat.
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