Budapest, Hungary - Formula One team Scuderia Toro Rosso let American Scott Speed go and replaced him with Sebastien Vettel beginning this weekend at the Grand Prix of Hungary.
Speed had yet to score a point this season or last and in 28 career starts his best finish was a ninth-place finish in Monaco.
Vettel, 20, was the test driver for BMW Sauber and as a replacement for an injured Robert Kubica earned one championship point at the United States Grand Prix with an eighth-place finish.
“As our test and reserve driver Sebastian has carried out sterling work for us,” said BMW team chief Mario Theissen. “We have sponsored and coached Sebastian over a number of years. To place obstacles in his career path now would go against our concept of talent promotion.”
It’s been a tough year for America and its relationship with Formula One. First the U.S.G.P. was dropped from the 2008 schedule and now the only American driver has been cut.
