Formula E champion reveals he rejected Red Bull offer for shock F1 return

Ex-Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Buemi recalled the time when he rejected Red Bull's offer to return to F1 in 2019.

Formula E champion reveals he rejected Red Bull offer for shock F1 return

Sebastien Buemi (via RaceFans), Christian Horner (via IMAGO)

Red Bull had to lock in a driver for the 2019 season after Daniel Ricciardo parted ways with the team. Milton Keynes explored multiple options before finalizing on Pierre Gasly as Max Verstappen‘s teammate. Current Formula E champion and Ex-Toro Rosso (presently RB) driver Sebastien Buemi revealed that he rejected the Austrian constructors’ offer back then.

Sebastien Buemi remained a notable figure in Red Bull ever since the 2009 season. The Swiss driver raced for Toro Rosso for three years from 2009 to 2011 and then joined as a reserve driver for the parent team. Buemi still remains a test driver for Milton Keynes and has provided the team with great insight in recent years.

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Buemi recalled that he had a conversation with Helmut Marko and Christian Horner in 2019 to join the Red Bull family as a driver. However, the 36-year-old revealed that he had better options in Formula E with Toyota and declined the offer. The Swiss driver added that the opportunity was to race for Toro Rosso and hence decided against it and continued his stint in the electric category.

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We had a conversation with Christian Horner and Dr. Marko in 2018. But that didn’t make sense for me because I had good contracts in Formula E and with Toyota. I would have had the chance to drive for Toro Rosso again. But for me, it was better to continue on my path than to return to Formula 1.

Sebastien Buemi said, as reported by RacingNews365.com

Sebastien Buemi recalls the ‘difficult’ time of leaving Red Bull and Formula 1

Sebastien Buemi and his teammate at Toro Rosso at the time, Jaime Alguersuari were both axed from the team. Buemi recalled the time and highlighted that it was a difficult period to go through. The Swiss recounted that he did everything to drive in Formula 1 and didn’t understand Red Bull’s decision to snub him. Regardless, the 36-year-old accepted the situation and took a leap into Formula E.

Sebastien Buemi (via F1)
Sebastien Buemi (via F1)

That was very difficult at the time. You have done everything your whole life to drive in Formula 1. These decisions are not easy to understand, but I stayed with Red Bull as a reserve driver at the time. You just have to accept that and immediately think about your future again.

Sebastien Buemi added

Buemi left Formula 1 and performed extremely well in the Formula E category and won multiple championships in the sport. Moreover, the Swiss driver also achieved success in the WEC including the 24 hours of Le Mans. Hence, the 36-year-old’s exit from the pinnacle of motorsport was maybe for the better as he performed much better in other categories.