Buemi has eyes on F1 big time
driver has twice found himself in the spotlight this season; first for his and then when leading the .
Buemi led for a single lap in Montreal, holding off the chasing of and 's , before later passing 's ailing for eighth place.
But you get the impression that the 21-year-old would prefer to be in the limelight on his own merit.
"When you pass the seven-time world champion it looks good," said Buemi. "And because Hamilton and Alonso, also world champions, were behind me people were saying it was good.
"It's publicity for me but in the end they are drivers like the other guys, they are just sitting in a better car.
"I'm happy that people were speaking about me but I'm really trying to concentrate on myself and the future."
Buemi began his F1 career with promise in 2009, out-performing his more experienced team-mate and scoring points on his debut in Australia.
Despite some wild rookie moments, the unassuming Swiss driver finished the year solidly, getting in the points on four occasions - but this season he feels he, and the team, have failed to push on.
"When you qualify in the last three races (of 2009) in Q3 and finish the last two in the points you expect to do at least the same this year or even better," explained Buemi, with a brow furrowed in frustration.
Buemi is determined to make an impression in F1. Photo: Getty
"I was expecting to be in Q3 and in the points more often. I've been unlucky a lot this year but so far I'm disappointed."
Buemi has good reason to want to continue to impress and develop as a Formula 1 driver.
The 21-year-old has been linked to a drive at Toro Rosso's stellar sibling in 2012.
is contracted to the pacesetting team until 2012 but 's newly-inked contract runs out in 2011.
After succeeding Vettel at Toro Rosso, Buemi has real hopes of joining his German predecessor at Red Bull.
"To one day step in the Red Bull, this is my objective," said Buemi, his large, brown eyes fixed in a serious expression.
"But I've got to show them I'm good enough.
"I'm really trying to work with Red Bull, improve myself with Toro Rosso but in the future I want to sit in a car that will allow me to win races - this is my objective."
An F1 driver wouldn't be an F1 driver if they didn't harbour ambitions to drive for a front-running team but Buemi might just have an ace up his sleeve.
The 21-year-old, who got into racing after his Dad brought him a go-kart for Christmas when he was five, is close to Red Bull's motorsport consultant Dr , who is effectively Red Bull owner 's eyes and ears in the team.
Marko nurtured both Vettel and Buemi through Red Bull's driver development programme and is now a powerful influence in their F1 operations.
"I've known him very well for seven years," added Buemi, who was spotted by Red Bull racing in the 2004 German series.
"I have to thank him and Red Bull a lot - they paid for everything and gave me the chance to drive for Toro Rosso.
"Because of this Marko is someone who is quite difficult. He's quite strict, quite hard, he's got his own way of thinking.
"But I respect him a lot as he has made me a lot stronger in the head; without him I would never have reached F1."
Would Buemi need Marko's help to make a final move to a Red Bull seat?
"Exactly. He speaks a lot to Dietrich Mateschitz. He tells him what he thinks and Mateschitz takes into consideration what he says.
"If Marko says I'm a good driver and I deserve a seat it will be really important for me.
"If I get a good result I will have him on my side and this will be important for my future and for the decision."
Toro Rosso insiders have their own ideas why the results aren't coming as quickly as Buemi would like.
For a start, the team would like Buemi and his 20-year-old team-mate to have more time in the car, something which is difficult with the ban on in-season testing.
The team want their inexperienced drivers to push the limits of the car - in other words to crash more.
Buemi and Alguersuari have the potential but the team say it's up to them to maximise it.
That is exactly what Buemi, a self-confessed tennis and football fan, aims to do.
"I like watching other sports, tennis and the football, but for me everything I do has to be positive for F1," explained Buemi, who recently moved from his former home in Bahrain to Monaco to be closer to the sport's European hub.
"If I play tennis it's for my fitness, I go karting a lot, I go in the simulator a lot, I give everything.
"I don't think you get a lot of opportunities to show yourself in F1. This is a train that's stopping only once - I've got to push now."
People often ask how I came to be the Formula 1 lady for the ´óÏó´«Ã½ website. Well, after being dragged around vintage car rallies and auto jumbles by my Dad, motor racing got under my skin. I am now a fully paid-up member of F1's travelling circus after a year on the road as part of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ team. I look forward to bringing you more on- and off-track adventures here. You can also follow me on .
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