Although Robert Doornbos' hopes of driving for the Toro Rosso outfit were recently dashed, the Dutchman is nonetheless hoping to remain in Formula One season.

According to reports, Doornbos's management was in talks with Red Bull's junior team, Scuderia Toro Rosso, about the possibility of him replacing Scott Speed in 2007.

However, any chance of that came to an end when STR co-owner, Gerhard Berger, claimed to have heard nothing about the rumour.

He also hinted that it was only a matter of time before the team announced that both Speed and Tonio Liuzzi would be staying on for another year.

But despite that blow to his chances of racing next season, Doornbos is still hoping to remain in Formula One.

"For next year my focus goes out to F1, only!" the Dutchman told the official F1 website.

Doornbos will now be hoping to extend his deal with Red Bull Racing as their official 2007 test driver having filled the role during the 2006 season before being promoted to race-driver following the dismissal of Christian Klien.

"I think I can look back at quite a great season, starting 2006 as Red Bull's test driver and finally finishing this year as a race driver." he told the official F1 website.

"After having raced eight races for Minardi last year, me and my management took the early and wise decision to go testing for Red Bull instead of chasing a race seat for 2006 in a smaller outfit. And it paid off.

"I grabbed this opportunity with both hands and had three strong races. Unfortunately we couldn't score points, but I was still able to out-qualify DC (David Coulthard) in events. Not so bad at all, isn't it?"