Takuma Sato expects to have to wait several weeks to find out if he can return to formula one next year.

The Japanese driver, who dropped out of the sport earlier this year with the Super Aguri demise, is in the running for a Toro Rosso race seat in 2009.

On Wednesday at the Circuit de Catalunya, the 31-year-old was the quickest of the three STR contenders in action.

It is believed that while the Swiss youngster Sebastien Buemi is almost guaranteed a 2009 seat, Sato is being considered for the post of a more 'experienced' driver next year, as is the incumbent Sebastien Bourdais.

But Sato said in Barcelona that he is not expecting an imminent decision.

When asked by F1's official website when Toro Rosso might decide, he answered: "I don't think that Toro Rosso is in any rush, so my guess would be at the end of the year, or even at the beginning of next year."

One factor playing in Sato's favour is that, compared with Bourdais, he is the more heavily sponsored.

"I really don't have cash," he insisted to reporters, "but hopefully, maybe with this difficult economy, some good personal sponsors will support us and that will be an extra bonus for me."

Source: GMM