Toro Rosso confirms Speed replacement.

Sebastian Vettel has been given the all-clear to leave the BMW Sauber F1 team having secured a move to Scuderia Toro Rosso with 'immediate effect', where he will replace Scott Speed, who has recently had a run-in with the team's management.

Vettel, who made his Formula 1 debut at the United States Grand Prix in June, when he replaced the injured Robert Kubica, after the Pole's monster crash in Canada, will do all the remaining rounds of the season in the #19 STR-02.

A statement from BMW, under the heading, 'BMW clears the road ahead for Vettel', added that while they were sad to see Vettel leave, they didn't want to stand in his way.

"As our test and reserve driver Sebastian has carried out sterling work for us. When he stood in for Robert Kubica in the USA Grand Prix he made history by becoming the youngest debutant to earn a world championship point," said BMW team boss, Mario Theissen.

"However, the current testing rules mean that he barely gets a chance to drive for us. Now he has been offered the opportunity to get inside a Toro Rosso cockpit. We have sponsored and coached Sebastian over a number of years. To place obstacles in his career path now would go against our concept of talent promotion.

"BMW and Red Bull have a longstanding partnership in supporting Sebastian. Toro Rosso is the sister team of Red Bull Racing, and in that context it makes sense for us to release him. In a sponsoring partnership the main thing is to use the best opportunities that present themselves to a young driver at any given time."

Timo Glock meanwhile will take over Vettel's role as the 'reserve' driver at the BMW Sauber F1 team. Glock, who was already one of the teams test drivers, effectively the 'fourth driver', currently leads the GP2 Series and will, according to BMW, forgo a GP2 race, should he have to step into the fold and replace Nick Heidfeld or Kubica due to injury.