Speed set for Toro Rosso confirmation

Toro Rosso have been reluctant to confirm Speed's contract for 2007 so far amid question marks about his commitment to being a Formula One driver.

Speed began testing of the team's new STR2 in Bahrain this morning, however, with sources close to the driver saying that he and the team have now agreed to continue the relationship. It is not known when an official announcement will be made, but it could come as early as this weekend.

Although Toro Rosso said at the launch of their STR2 that contractual issues were behind the delay in Speed's confirmation, team owner Gerhard Berger told autosport.com earlier this week that the reasons were based on doubts about how hungry Speed was for the job.

"I have to say Scott is still on pole position," said Berger, when asked about his future driver line-up. "I believe that with his natural talent he can do a reasonable job. But he is not at a talent stage where he doesn't need to work.

"He needs also to bring a commitment. If he has this, and he shows this, no problem. I think we will be very happy with the two guys."

Berger said the problems first originated when the team began some post-season analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of their drivers - something Speed did not take too kindly too.

"After the season we said 'OK, let's first analyse very carefully the season, all the races, all the tests, everything. And then let's see together with the drivers and make a plan, how to improve their weaknesses.'

"And obviously this plan you have to do together with the driver, because you need a great commitment from him, first to understand the problems, and then to be able to sort it out. Tonio did very well; he reacted very constructively and worked on himself.

"I think we'll see a different Tonio this year compared with last year. Both drivers are quite OK with natural talent, but obviously it's not everything in F1, you need a helluva commitment. I think we ask our drivers to put a similar commitment into the game as all the mechanics, all the engineers, ourselves, Red Bull on the financial side.

"For us it can be just good for next season if we feel this commitment. If this commitment is not there, it's difficult. We are very confident with Tonio that he has it. With Scott we still have some discussions going on, and before we sort out these points we don't want to confirm him."