The final team to launch their 2017 car, Toro Rosso unveiled the STR12 at Barcelona today. Wider and lower than its predecessor, the car also features a new colour scheme. The blue has been made lighter, no longer matching Red Bull, and silver is also used – making it easier to distinguish from its parent company.
Using year-old Ferrari engines in 2016, Toro Ross were struggling near the end of the season as the other teams received upgrades to their power units. This year they are delighted to have a deal with Renault, meaning they will be able to run the newest spec engine. Last season, they finished seventh overall but are hoping to be able to improve on this with the help of their new engine deal.
James Key, technical director beleives the team can have a successful season this year:
With driver continuity and a power unit which made a major step forward last year and which should be developing strongly this year, it just leaves the chassis as an unknown quantity…We always set ourselves ambitious targets and this year, we are taking a more long-term view over the 20 races, with a long list of planned in-season developments. I suspect it will be a very busy year with plenty of performance still to be found.”