Toro Rosso confirm Bourdais

Toro Rosso have finally secured the services of Sebastien Bourdais for the 2008 season...

Toro Rosso have finally secured the services of Sebastien Bourdais for the 2008 season. With Sebastian Vettel having already replaced Scott Speed at the Red Bull-backed outfit, the move sees Toro Rosso entering 2008 with an all-new driver line-up. Vettel replaced Speed prior to the Hungarian GP, with Toro Rosso then announcing that the former BMW Sauber third driver would be remaining with them long-term. Friday's announcement therefore means that Vitantonio Liuzzi, who partnered Speed since the team was founded at the end of 2005, will also have to make way for Bourdais when he arrives in early December. The 28-year-old, who has long been a favourite with Toro Rosso bosses Gerhard Berger and Franz Tost, will join the team after the final round of this year's ChampCar Series on 2 December. "It has been a long time coming, but here we are!" said the Frenchman, who has three ChampCar titles to his name. "I would like to thank everyone at Red Bull for believing in me and giving me this long-awaited opportunity to race in Formula One. "I must also thank Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing for letting me pursue my dream and allowing me to test for Scuderia Toro Rosso a few times this year."