Toro Rosso today confirmed that Tonio Liuzzi is to be one of its drivers for the forthcoming season, but the identity of the second driver has yet to be confirmed 'due to on-going contractual negotiations' between the team and American racer Scott Speed.

Liuzzi is expected to take the Circuit de Catalunya this afternoon to give the new Ferrari-powered STR2 a shake-down. Indeed the team have been busy flying in new parts to put together the first 2007 chassis.

"We won't be getting any Pole Positions or race wins this year," team co-owner Gerhard Berger stated. "But we have progressed as a team ad we have to move forward to fighting some of the bigger teams on a regular basis."

Berger reportedly suggested that a decision about the second seat might be made as late as the days immediately before the Australian Grand Prix, but said the Californian was on 'pole position' to keep it.

Indeed, Speed was conspicuously absent at the Circuit de Catalunya on Tuesday, where Liuzzi met with members of the press in the media centre overlooking the start line.

Berger meanwhile did not deny that it has been penned by Adrian Newey. Amid the 'customer car' or 'car sharing' saga, Newey is employed by the independent company Red Bull Technologies and also designed Red Bull's near-identical RB3.


Scott Speed confirmed at Toro Rosso [24-02-2007]

Scuderia Toro Rosso this afternoon confirmed that Scott Speed will once again race for the team this season alongside Tonio Liuzzi.