Speed cut by Toro Rosso

Scott Speed has been axed by Toro Rosso and replaced by rising star Sebastian Vettel for the remainder of the season.

Speed had a pit bust-up with team boss Franz Tost after the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring and claimed he was being pushed out of the team. The constructor, whose co-owner is Gerhard Berger, have now chosen to bring in 20-year-old BMW Sauber tester Vettel for the rest of the season

BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen said: "As our test and reserve driver, Sebastian has carried out sterling work for us. Now he has been offered the opportunity to get inside a Toro Rosso cockpit."

He added: "When he stood in for Robert Kubica in the USA Grand Prix (in June) he made history by becoming the youngest debutant to earn a world championship point.

"However, the current testing rules mean he barely gets a chance to drive for us.

"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.

"BMW and Red Bull have a longstanding partnership in supporting Sebastian.

"Toro Rosso is the sister team of Red Bull Racing, and in that context it makes sense for us to release him.

"In a sponsoring partnership the main thing is to use the best opportunities that present themselves to a young driver at any given time."

Vettel joined the Red Bull Junior Team at the age of 12 before being guided by them and BMW through his Formula BMW and Formula 3 career.