Speed, Liuzzi, confident of keeping seats
The Faenza based team is notably the last in formula one to confirm its driver plans for the new season, amid speculation that a pay-driver like Tiago Monteiro could be signed to help STR co-owner Gerhard Berger pay his share of the bills.
Asked about the announcement delay, however, Californian Speed – who according to rumors is the more likely of the pair to lose his seat – said he was sure he would line up alongside Liuzzi on the Albert Park grid in March.
"To me it has always been clear that I would race," the 23-year-old told the German website f1total.com, also rejecting theories that Toro Rosso is making a last-minute bid to extract Sebastien Bourdais from his Champ Car contract.
"I have signed a full time contract."
Speed added: "I don't know why they haven't confirmed it yet, but I am sure that Gerhard has a reason."
Italian Liuzzi sounded a more cautious note, but generally agreed that a Liuzzi-Speed lineup is most likely for 2007.
He told the Italian website f1grandprix.it: "I'm pretty sure I'll stay in the team, but I don't know why they still don't want to confirm.
"But after all, the team is theirs, so this kind of decision is up to them."