Toro Rosso on Friday confirmed reports that said Sebastien Bourdais had now signed a contract to race for the Faenza based team in 2008.

The multiple Champ Car title winner, Frenchman and former F3000 champion will replace Vitantonio Liuzzi, and be Sebastian Vettel's teammate.

"It has been a long time coming, but here we are," Bourdais, who at the age of 28 recently said his grand prix foray must begin "now or never", was quoted as saying in a statement provided by the team.

He also thanked his current Champ Car team, series leader Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, for "letting me pursue my dream and allowing me to test for Scuderia Toro Rosso a few times this year". (GMM)