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Toro Rosso give Speed vote of confidence

Scuderia Toro Rosso have given Scott Speed their backing amid rumours that he will be replaced by BMW test driver Sebastian Vettel from the French Grand Prix

Team principal Franz Tost told Autosport that Toro Rosso were focusing on their technical package and were not considering any changes to their driver line-up at present.

"Up to now, nothing in this way is being discussed or planned because currently we can't complain about the drivers," Tost said.

"We first need to provide the drivers with a proper car which is reliable, and this is not the case because on Saturday we failed with gearbox and hydraulic problems.

"And apart from this, Scott has done quite a good job in Spain and from our point of view there's no reason to discuss replacing him."

Speed was 10th fastest in second practice in Spain, but had to start last after a transmission failure in Q1. He got up to 14th on the first lap, before retiring with a puncture on lap nine.

Tost added that even if Toro Rosso were interested in Vettel, they would have to negotiate a release from his BMW contract. The 19-year-old German is a Red Bull protege, but has been loaned to BMW Sauber as a test and reserve driver since mid-2006.

"Regarding Vettel, as far as I'm aware he has a contract with BMW and is running in the Renault World Series and I don't see a reason to bring him out of there because he has an existing contract," said Tost.

"He has a BMW contract. He's a Red Bull driver but contracted to BMW. I don't know the contract details but it's not currently a discussion in our team."

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