Berger critical of STR’s Liuzzi, Speed

Fri, 19 January 2007, 02:35

Co-owner Gerhard Berger has fired criticism at Toro Rosso’s 2006 race lineup, as the Faenza based team continues to stall on revealing its drivers for the looming season.

A raft of alternatives are reportedly in the frame to replace Vitantonio Liuzzi and Scott Speed, with Berger understood to be preparing to announce the 2007 lineup at the beginning of next month.

But despite recently saying the existing pair were in “pole position” to retain their seats, Austrian Berger now insists that both Liuzzi and Speed “showed weaknesses” in 2006.

“We want to discuss these (weaknesses) with them,” the 47-year-old former grand prix winner told German magazine Auto Motor und Sport.

Berger accused Italian Liuzzi, 25, and Californian rookie Speed, who is 23, of lacking focus, despite Toro Rosso and team co-owner Red Bull’s paddock reputation for ‘fun’.

“You don’t see superstars like Schumacher and Alonso at too many parties,” Berger said, before outlining the Italian squad’s far more serious “goals” for F1.

He said of Speed and Liuzzi: “If they also share these goals, they will sit in our cars. If they do not, a further cooperation would be a waste of time.”

GMMF1
DailyF1News.com

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