Speed cleared for F1 test role.

Scott Speed has been told that he can test for Red Bull Racing on the first day of each grand prix meeting should the F1 team fail to gain a rewording of the current third driver rule.

Vitantonio Liuzzi's promotion to race driver alongside David Coulthard has left the Milton Keynes-based team in something of a quandary, as previous race seat incumbent Christian Klien is not eligible for the reserve driver role on Fridays, having contested more than six grands prix in the past two seasons. The team is currently campaigning for the 'six-race rule' to be relaxed, but requires the agreement of its rivals, as well as both the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone.

As an alternative, GP2 pace-setter Speed had been touted as a possible stand-in, but even that choice appeared fraught with obstacles, as the F1 support series 'rules' state that "a driver who will participate to the GP2 series is not allowed to participate the same season in the FIA Formula One World Championship, but will be allowed to be a test driver for one of the teams competing in the FIA Formula One World Championship".

Confusion initially reigned over whether the term 'test' included running in a third car on Friday mornings at grands prix, but GP2 organisers have since confirmed to Crash.net that, while none of its participants may race in F1 this season, they would be free to test, either on Fridays or between races, clearing both Speed and Neel Jani, who both tested for Red Bull in Spain recently, to represent the team on Friday at Imola and beyond.

Speed, who set the fastest time in last week's GP2 'race number shoot-out', completed sufficient F1 mileage in Barcelona to qualifying for the all-important grand prix superlicence, while Jani has previously tested with the Sauber team.