Jul.30 (GMM) Sebastian Vettel has admitted to disappointment after reportedly missing out on beleaguered Scott Speed's Toro Rosso cockpit.



Following reports of American Speed's spectacular falling out with bosses Franz Tost and Gerhard Berger, reports in Germany said BMW test driver Vettel came within one or two "financial issues" of stepping up to the race seat for the balance of 2007.



A reporter for the newspaper Bild am Sonntag asked 20-year-old Vettel if he should be "congratulated or consoled" for narrowly avoiding a drive at one of F1's backmarker teams.



The German replied: "Just as soccer players want to play, race drivers want to drive and not watch."



Although jointly contracted to Toro Rosso's half owner Red Bull, Vettel attends each race as BMW-Sauber's substitute driver.



He made his grand prix debut at Indianapolis in June, after team regular Robert Kubica had to rest following his horror Montreal crash.



"I would like a racing cockpit," Vettel clarified, "and eventually the world championship. That is my goal."