By Paul Kelly
indianapolismotorspeedway.com
Friday, August 25, 2006
It's looking almost certain that rookie Scott Speed, the only American driver in Formula One, will stay with Scuderia Toro Rosso for a second season in 2007, including the United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The 2007 USGP is scheduled for Sunday, June 17 on the 2.605-mile road course at IMS. Ticket information for the event will be announced soon.
Toro Rosso co-owner Gerhard Berger indicated during a press conference Aug. 25 in Istanbul, Turkey, that the team probably will keep Speed and his teammate, Vitantonio Liuzzi, as its drivers next season.
"I think we are going to stay with the drivers as we are," Berger said. "It's not finally decided, but we are quite happy with both of them.
"They are both young, they are both inexperienced, Tonio a little bit further than Scott, but still both very green. I think, under these circumstances, they are doing quite a good job, a little bit up and down but normal for young drivers who we think will be a bit more stable next year. They are going to give us back something that they learned this year, and I think it's worth staying with the drivers as we are."
Speed, 23, from Manteca, Calif., has started all 13 F1 races this season for Toro Rosso. His best start is 12th in Malaysia and best finish is ninth in Australia.
He qualified 13th for the United States Grand Prix on July 2 at IMS but was one of six drivers eliminated in a first-lap accident.
Former Red Bull Driver Search winner Speed is the first American driver in Formula One since 1993 and this year at Indianapolis was the first U.S. driver to compete in his home Grand Prix since 1989.
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2007 USGP: The 2007 United States Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday, June 17, subject to approval of the Formula One World Championship schedule by the FIA. Ticket information will be announced soon.
