Aug.5 (GMM) Bruno Senna stands a chance of landing the vacant Toro Rosso race seat in 2009 if he is the "best candidate", team co-owner and family friend Gerhard Berger said.

Berger, who has been closely involved in the 24-year-old Brazilian's career in the junior echelons of motor racing, was his late uncle Ayrton Senna's teammate at McLaren in the 90s.

Senna's burgeoning form in the feeder category GP2 has even attracted other F1 team chiefs' attention lately, but he is still most strongly tipped for a move to Faenza based STR in the place of Sebastian Vettel.

Berger told the Daily Telegraph that his personal connection to Senna, and the Brazilian's famous name, will not guarantee him a seat at his team.

The Austrian, himself a former ten-time grand prix winner, is under pressure to select Vettel's successor from the pool of Red Bull's junior drivers.

"I run a team in partnership with Red Bull, and shouldn't mix personal things with business," he said.

"But if Bruno is clearly the best candidate, then we'll discuss it anyway. If he's GP2 champion, it doesn't matter what his name is."