Robert Doornbos’ manager has denied Gerhard Berger’s suggestion that the Dutch driver is in the running to race for the Toro Rosso team in 2007.
With Champ Car champion Sebastien Bourdais preparing to test for the Faenza based squad this week, co-owner Berger revealed that Doornbos and a host of other drivers could still be in the running to oust 2006 lineup Scott Speed and Vitantonio Liuzzi.
But Doornbos’ manager, Marco Zecchi, told the Dutch magazine Formule 1 Race Report: “I have not spoken to Berger about Robert for five months now, and certainly not about business.”
25-year-old Doornbos’ test contract for STR’s sister squad Red Bull also has not been confirmed for next year.
Zecchi insisted that he would not play along with Berger in bringing false hope to Doornbos’ fans that a Toro Rosso race seat in 2007 is possible.
He added: “I think Toro Rosso are going to drive also next year with Liuzzi and Speed.
“Of course it is a compliment that Berger names Robert as being on his list but I can assure you that we are not in conversation with Toro Rosso.”
Regarding the ongoing talks with Red Bull, meanwhile, Zecchi says the Austrian camp has made a “good proposal” for a cooperation next year but the sticking point remains an exit clause in the event of a better offer.
He also suggested that it might be better to wait on the outcome of negotiations to amend the ‘Friday’ driver rules before committing to a new contract as tester.
GMMF1
DailyF1News.com
