Team co-owner Gerhard Berger has added fuel to speculation that Toro Rosso is considering replacing Scott Speed with Robert Doornbos for the 2007 season.
The fact that the Faenza based squad is among the very last to confirm its race lineup for next year has invigorated suggestions that energy drink Red Bull is keen to accommodate Dutchman Doornbos.
He was a test driver for the senior team this year, and was promoted to the race seat following Christian Klien’s departure late in the season.
Doornbos has also received an offer to remain Red Bull Racing’s test driver in 2007.
The gossip coincides with Toro Rosso’s apparent discontent with the inconsistency of Californian rookie Speed, and Berger’s rumoured interest in the sponsor dollars that 25-year-old Doornbos could bring in.
Former grand prix driver Berger said: “(Co-owner) Dietrich Mateschitz and I will discuss the driver question soon. When the time is right, a decision will be made.”
Berger, 47, also revealed that next year’s Ferrari powered ‘STR2’ will be up and running some time in February.
He told the Austrian agency APA of his maiden season as a team owner: “To beat two teams was our goal, and we did that.
“The team ahead of us was Williams, and compared to us they are a giant.”
GMMF1
DailyF1News.com
