BUEMI EYES LE MANS 24HR DRIVE

LE MANS 24 HOUR

Cast out from F1, Buemi hopes to garner seat time in the Le Mans 24 Hour

FORMULA ONE reject Sebastien Buemi is hopeful of securing a seat in this year's Le Mans 24 Hour with a major frontrunning team.

Dumped by Toro Rosso at the end of last season, Buemi has recently signed on as Red Bull Racing's reserve F1 driver for 2012.

But 23-year-old Buemi says he may turn to the Le Mans 24 Hour to secure more track time this year.

Strict limitations on Formula One testing means the Swiss youngster will receive very little racing in 2012.

However, Buemi says a drive at Le Mans would not only enable him to develop more options for his future behind the wheel, but also maintain his focus and sharpness as a driver.

"Ideally, I would marry F1 with a different [motor racing] discipline, such as endurance," said Buemi.

"I like the Le Mans 24 a fot. There is no grand prix on that weekend, so it would be possible."

Buemi wouldn't be drawn on what team he hopes to join, but he did hint at plans to run at the front with a major team, possibly with factory support.

''The big teams will start their testing soon, so I could participate as well," he revealed.

"I will probably be able to announce the details of what I will be doing in 2012 fairly soon."

HIRVO: I WON'T BACK DOWN

CITROEN'S NEW signing Mikko Hirvonen insists he will not approach his firs) season in Ihe French team with a second driver mentality. While he says his focus is on settling into the DS3 as quickly as possible, he concedes that - as a two-time Ray Sweden winner -there wilt be a lair amount of pressure on him end the team's seven-year wait for a victory in Varmland.

DOVIZIOSO GETS AN UNLUCKY BREAK

Andrea Dovizioso is confident he'll be fit for winter testing later this month. ANDREA DOVIZIOSO'S switch to Monster Energy Tech3 Yamaha for 2012 has suffered a blow, with the Italian suffering a broken collarbone while riding motocross on January 5.

CHRISTMAS CRUNCH

MOTOGP American Nicky Hayden is recovering from a series of injuries suffered in a training accident while riding dirt bikes just days after Christmas in the United States. Former World Champion Hayden suffered a broken left scapula and two fractured ribs while riding flat track near his home in Kentucky on December 27.

MARTIN'S 24HR PLAN

World Endurance Chanpionship Aussie Open-Wheel export John Martin is set to race in the World Endurance Championship this year. Martin is talking to several teams about a possible seat in the new category, with the Superleague Formula champion hoping to secure a drive in the competitive LMP2 ranks for 2012.

TAKING THE TOUR

BOB PEARSON had to wait for the final race weekend to take out the 2011 Production Touring Car series, after leading the championship for most of the year in his Mitsubishi EVO X. Pearson was forced to miss the Wakefield Park round, allowing six other drivers to join him in the battle for the outright championship coming into the final round at Eastern Creek.

HIRVO: I WON'T BACK DOWN

DOVIZIOSO GETS AN UNLUCKY BREAK

CHRISTMAS CRUNCH

MARTIN'S 24HR PLAN

TAKING THE TOUR

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