Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen was fastest in final practice for this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix, ahead of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa. Championship leader Lewis Hamilton was fourth quickest, ahead of Jarno Trulli and Mark Webber.

Toro Rosso’s appeal against Tonio Liuzzi’s penalty for overtaking under yellow flags at Fuji last weekend is to be heard on 12th October in Paris. Liuzzi was given a 25-second penalty for overtaking Adrian Sutil for eighth place.

Former F1 driver Scott Speed will race for Eddie Sharp Racing in the ARCA Re/MAX Series in 2008.

“Red Bull started investing in Scott’s racing career a long time ago so, when he wanted the chance to drive stock cars, we wanted to help integrate him into the sport by earning his way up through the ranks,” Team Red Bull vice-president of competition Gunther Steiner explained.

“Scott’s a very technical driver with a lot of raw talent. He’ll be facing a lot of new challenges next year, but there’s no doubt that he has the skills to someday make it to the highest level in NASCAR.”

Speed left Toro Rosso in July after an altercation with team boss Franz Tost.