Scott Speed looks for work outside F1

Ousted Toro Rosso racer Scott Speed is not pursuing a new job in formula one. It is reported in the Austrian newspaper Salzburger Nachrichten that the 24-year-old Californian, who fell out badly with his team bosses this year before losing his seat, is only pursuing a job for 2008 and beyond in his native North America.

Top of his list, according to whispers, is the front-running Champ Car team Newman/Haas/Lanigan, whose title winning driver Sebastien Bourdais is ironically on his way to Faenza based Toro Rosso next year to replace Speed's similarly job-seeking 2007 teammate, Tonio Liuzzi.

"In the next few weeks I will look around in the States for a new job," Speed is quoted as saying.

"I am convinced that in Champ Car and NASCAR possibilities for me exist.

"I am not trying to stay in formula one, because I know there is no chance for me to move forwards in the way that I want to," he added.

Speed clarified that although his relationships with STR chiefs Franz Tost and Gerhard Berger are beyond repair, his long-standing collaboration with the energy drink Red Bull remains "excellent".

Unlike Speed, meanwhile, Vitantonio Liuzzi still has "some possibilities" to continue his F1 career next year, the Italian's manager Peter Collins said.

Veteran Collins, who was formerly team manager at Lotus, Benetton and Williams, suggested that a move to America for 25-year-old Liuzzi is only plan-B.

"Through our contacts with other teams we have established that Tonio is estimated much more highly than was the case with Toro Rosso," he said, following speculation of possible talks with Williams, for whom Liuzzi tested in 2002. (GMM)