Speed deal may be delayed until first GP

The American is absent from today's launch of the new STR2 with the team only confirming that Vitantonio Liuzzi will remain on board for 2007.

The exact reasons for the delay in firming up Speed has not been confirmed, with the team simply saying that they relate to 'confidential' contractual matters.

And Berger has said that he is no rush to sort out the situation, and that he will happily wait until the season-opening Australian Grand Prix if that is how long it takes to sort out the deal.

"We will have to discuss it for as long as it takes," he told reporters at the launch of his team's new Ferrari-powered car. "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. But he is in pole position for the seat."

It is not thought that Berger is evaluating other contenders for the race seat at the moment, with drivers previously linked with the seat now focused on ambitions elsewhere.

Robert Doornbos is currently testing for Minardi in Champ Car, while Tiago Monteiro has admitted that he is looking to race in another category after rejecting all his F1 offers.