Three tests. Three superb results. Takuma Sato having been away from an F1 seat for almost a season, came along and showed Scuderia Torro Rosso incumbent Bordais that speed was more than familiarity with the car. It comes with talent and vitality. 

Now it is for the bosses to make their choice - and for all of our enthusiasm as fans and 'experts' our opinion counts for nothing in this sport of high finance and international influence. We are but tiny minnows looking in at the shark-fest that is F1.

Sources close to Taku talk of high spirits and great hope, but twists and turns have told Taku fans to wait for the ink to dry on contracts before we breath again. There are very good economic reasons - as I wrote in "Countdown to Seats" for Taku to be chosen, but since when has common sense figured in modern F1?

As we wait, reading rumours and seeing deadlines come and go, all we can do is hope. And so it is - thousands of Taku fans hoping that he can make a return to the sport. Return to make a sport which is set to become even more homogeneous, a little more spicy.

The countdown is tortuous ...