Highlights

Driver line-up still open, says Toro Rosso's Berger

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-02-08 13:48

American Scott Speed and Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi are likely to stay with Toro Rosso but a deal has still to be agreed, part-owner Gerhard Berger said on Wednesday.

Ferrari-powered Toro Rosso are the only Formula One team with no confirmed drivers for the season starting in Australia on March 18.

"I think our two drivers are in pole position," the Austrian former racer told the official Formula One Web site (www.formula1.com). "Most likely we are going this route but it is not done yet."

Berger said the team, who have also yet to unveil their new car, had options.

"Money is not an issue," he said. "We are trying to get the best guys in our cars. We are looking for performance.

"It is the performance that will get a driver a cockpit and not a hand waving a cheque. If our main criteria were money, we would have done this already."

Berger said the new STR2 car would be within the regulations, despite rival teams expecting it to be a copy of the Red Bull RB3 -- which would not be allowed -- and threatening legal action.

"In our view we are 100 percent fine," he said. "It is basically Williams and Spyker who are worried and I know the reason for that -- they fear our competitiveness.

"If Frank (Williams) were more in front he would not care for a moment. But naturally our aim will be to close the gap to Williams," he said.

Toro Rosso scored one point and finished ninth of the 11 teams last year. Former champions Williams scored 11 and were eighth.