Ahead of its ‘launch' today in Barcelona,
Scuderia Toro Rosso has confirmed that Vitantonio Liuzzi will return for a second season, although 'contractual issues' mean
Scott Speed hasn't yet been named as his team-mate.
Both drivers were expected to remain with the
Red Bull owned squad into 2007 when last season drew to a close, but since then, speculation has grown that the team could be looking elsewhere – with those rumours reaching fever pitch when Champ Car title winner
Sebastien Bourdais was brought in for a test at
Jerez in December.
However, team co-owner Gerhard Berger has now confirmed that Liuzzi will be retained for 2007 with Speed in pole position for the second seat – although the American has yet to put pen to paper.
“Everything is fine with Tonio, he's in the car and he's going to drive," Berger told
Reuters. "He's also our driver for this year.
"We analysed our drivers very well after last season and found their strengths and weaknesses quite well. We worked very hard together over the winter, especially with Tonio.
"He's going to make less mistakes in the second season, I think he's also working harder than in the first one so he's going to be better. But you're not going to see miracles because they just don't exist in
Formula One."
"With Scott we still have some contractual issues to sort out. We will have to discuss it for as long as it takes. It could be in a matter of a few days, or it could be a matter of a few weeks.
"It is going to take as long as necessary, and it could be as late as Melbourne [and the season opening Australian Grand Prix]. But he is in pole position for the seat."
The Ferrari-powered STR2 is set to run for the first time in Barcelona today, during the second day of the Formula One group test at Catalunya.
