Superb Monaco drive of Speed not rewarded with points

Toro Rosso driver, Scott Speed, made up 9 places off his grid position, the most improved driver on the day, but there was little reward as he finished just outside the points. Team mate Liuzzi was forced to retire after he crashed into the wall.

Scott Speed (STR-04), pos. 9th:
“I got a good launch off the grid and as everyone bottled up going into Turn 1, I made an aggressive move round the outside and it paid off as I got around David and we battled hard. Then I think we had a reasonably good pace in the race. In terms of the strategy, maybe I should have pitted a bit earlier, but Kimi was out of reach anyway. I enjoyed myself but every time for the last 15 laps I was hoping someone would drop out and that I’d see my pit board go from P9 to P8 to get that point, but it never happened."

Tonio Liuzzi (STR-03) DNF:
“I was hit hard at the first corner after the start by someone behind me and I think it must have damaged something, because the car was not right after that. But I tried to do one more lap and then as I came over the bump at corner three I lost control. It was a real shame because I had a reasonably good starting position so I was optimistic I could do something good this afternoon.”

Franz Tost: “Scott had a very good start, going from 18 to 13 and he did his best ever race for Toro Rosso. He deserved a point because he was always pushing very hard and the lap times were very consistent and very very fast. All I can say to him is thanks and congratulations for a job well done. Tonio was unlucky. He was hit from behind and he lost air from his right rear tyre, which is what led to his crash."

Gerhard Berger: “Well done to the team and of course to Scott who drove a superb race. Today’s performance shows the team has potential and hopefully that will be realized soon.”