Following a promising debut season, Toro Rosso have signed youngster Sebastien Buemi for 2010.

Signed by Red Bull to their prestigious young driver programme in 2006, Buemi became their reserve driver in 2008 after finishing second in the F3 Euro Series in 2007.

Despite having never won a championship, the 20-year-old impressed with his maturity and speed in testing. He was the team's first choice to replace Sebastian Vettel following the German's move up to Red Bull.

He wasted no time in showing his potential, out qualifying team-mate Sebastien Bourdais in his debut race in Australia, and scoring points with a seventh-place finish.

After an impressive start to his first season, picking up three points in his opening three races, he endured a mid-season slump, failing to finish in the points between the Chinese Grand Prix in April and the penultimate race of the season in Brazil.

Buemi achieved his best qualifying at a wet Sao Paulo, starting on the third row of the grid, suggesting there is plenty more to come from the first Swiss F1 driver since Jean-Denis Délétraz in 1995.

Strengths and Weaknesses
Buemi joined the Toro Rosso team and immediately outperformed his more experienced team-mate Sebastien Bourdais and his composure under pressure is impressive for one so young. His lack of experience and rookie errors could still prove to be an issue.

Career High
Finishing seventh in his debut race in Melbourne, ahead of Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen and Mark Webber, amongst others.

Career Low
Crashing out of the Spanish Grand Prix on the first lap after being taken out by his then team-mate Bourdais.

Quotes
"You have to be realistic. You have to have self-confidence and put yourself in the best possible situation. But you have to keep your feet on the ground and not get depressed if the results don't come immediately."

"Buemi has shown himself to be naturally talented with plenty of speed and, more importantly he is a quick learner. Having invested in his early career Red Bull is keen to see him progress at the top level of the sport. He faces a steep learning curve, but we should not forget he is still very young - he even makes Vettel look like a veteran!" Toro Rosso Team Principal Franz Tost

Trivia

Buemi's isn't the only racing talent in his family - his cousin, Natacha Gachnang was the first woman to race in Formula Two in 2009.