Faenza, Italy (My Sportsbook) - Sebastien Bourdais will return to Toro Rosso for the 2009 Formula One season, the team announced Friday.

Bourdais drove for the Italian team during his F1 rookie season last year, finishing with just four points in the World Championship standings. But after an impressive round of winter testing, the 29-year-old Frenchman was told he will retain his seat with the team and line up alongside newcomer Sebastien Buemi.

"It has been a very long and difficult winter, but now the waiting is finally over and I am really excited about tackling my second season with Scuderia Toro Rosso," Bourdais said in a team statement. "Now I can focus on preparing for the coming season. It promises to be a very interesting one, thanks to all the rule changes, and I'm also looking forward to establishing a good relationship with my new teammate, Sebastien Buemi, to ensure both of us do the best possible job for the team and for Red Bull."

Bourdais was one of the most accomplished drivers in the Champ Car World Series, winning consecutive titles on that circuit from 2004 to 2007. He replaced Vitantonio Liuzzi and partnered with Sebastian Vettel at Toro Rosso for the 2008 season. Vettel is now with Red Bull Racing, as he replaced the retiring David Coulthard.

"We are pleased that Sebastien will be with us again for another season," team principal Franz Tost said. "After one year with Toro Rosso, we expect him to profit from the experience he gained last season."

Bourdais and Buemi are expected to test with Toro Rosso next week at Jerez, Spain.