Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost says his team’s new car has worked “much better than expected” in pre-season testing.
A late change of power unit supplier left Toro Rosso racing against time to complete their new STR11 before testing began. The team only had its first technical meeting with new supplier Ferrari in early December last year.
“When we arrived here in Barcelona for the first test I was quite concerned about whether we prepared the complete package in the best possible way,” said Tost.
“Today I can say that the new car, which was designed and built in only a few months, worked much better than expected, especially from a reliability point of view.”
“I was convinced that the performance would match our expectations as the STR11 is following on from the successful STR10. I’m now optimistic about the season ahead. I would like to thank the whole team, as they’ve done a fantastic job.”
“During these two weeks we’ve completed a total of 1,049 laps and 4,882 kilometres which is the highest mileage Scuderia Toro Rosso has ever done in eight days of testing – we’ve never been at such a high level.”
Tost also praised drivers Carlos Sainz Jnr and Max Verstappen. “They didn’t spin once and what I especially liked was their really good technical feedback regarding both the car and the tyres,” he said.
“I’m sure that after all this mileage we achieved, we managed to cover most of the topics that were unknown to us before arriving here, especially regarding the new tyres.”
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MarkM
4th March 2016, 19:43
If beauty means speed then this car should be fast. I actually think its one of the best looking cars on the grid in a very long time! What a gem to look at! The curve of the side pods and the front nose is so amazing
Sandy Claws (@sandyclaws)
4th March 2016, 20:53
I agree that it’s a beautiful car. The radiator inlets are tiny, and that front wing is gorgeous.
Illusive (@illusive)
5th March 2016, 11:29
+1, but the livery is not that great. STR can achieve 4th in constructors if RB struggles.
Matn
6th March 2016, 10:52
What can be achiveved by determination, TR had a very good year in 2015 but seriously lacked reliability and topspeed.
2015 could have ended easily before Lotus if it wasn’t for reliability issues, FI would have been in reach if it wasn’t for lack of topspeed.
It seems both reliability and speed is pretty well alright, same goes for the chassis add the two eager and more expierced drivers TR could be in for a top year, if fact it looks all very promising.