Formula BMW International World Finals: Brook Johnston Wins Championship!

Sunday's Formula BMW International Championship came to an end after 10 rounds by finishing up in Valencia, Spain, at the Circuit de la Comunitad Valenciana Ricardo Tormo.

The event saw perfect track conditions and a huge crowd, as Red Bull fever ran amok all through the weekend.

Sauber Red Bull Racing's prized possession, Brook Johnston, took the world championship Sunday with an overall win, and finished the season with a dominant 68 points in the standings.

On top of his expected championship, Johnston had taken the weekend's pole and ran a solid race without relinquishing the lead to take the checkered flag.

Cole Collier of Eurointernazionale Racing finished second in the points standings with a total 58 points, 10 behind Johnston, whose teammate, Matt Jaskel, finished in third with 50 points.

The 20-year-old Johnston has recently finished testing for Formula One's Scuderia Toro Rosso program over at Red Bull's Valencia test track.

However, there is much speculation as to whether he will be joining the 2009 Formula One season as a test driver for the Red Bull Racing program headed by Dietrich Mateschitz.

With a solid season in the Formula BMW International series, this is looking like a definite possibility.

The ending of the 2008 Formula One season should see an announcement regarding his status on that roster. He would be the first American to have a shot at Formula One since Scott Speed.

Bruno Senna and Sebastian Buemi have been battling for the Toro Rosso position as well and they seem to be nearing the drivers seat for the 2009 season.

Collier will be joining the Formula BMW International season once again in 2009 to take another shot at the championship.

Johnston has yet to announce his position for next season, yet I doubt he will be joining the Formula BMW International program another time.

With several great offers and possibilities lying around, don't be surprised if we see Johnston in the likes of IRL or possibly Formula One.

Red Bull Racing has certainly taken a keen liking to the youngster and I expect they will keep him under their wing for 2009 after a great season like this one.

By taking six wins this season and seven podiums, the Formula BMW International champ is expected to turn more heads in a much larger series next season.