Toro Rosso Reveal 2018 Car

(Image credit to: Red Bull Toro Rosso Honda)

    Toro Rosso has revealed its first Honda powered car ahead of preseason testing for the 2018 Formula 1 championship.

    The team stuck with a similar livery to that of last season, but a lot has changed at Toro Rosso from the start of 2017.

    Not only does the team have two rookie drivers and a new engine partner, but areas of the chassis have been completely redesigned after a year learning the new technical regulations.

    “There were several challenges but none that were by nature unfamiliar to us at Toro Rosso,” explained technical director James Key.

    “The most obvious is that we have had a change of engine partner and there were also a few minor regulation changes on the aero side, a few clarifications on suspension and so on, which all had an effect on how we approached these areas.

    Fundamentally, it’s been a case of adapting what you know to the regulations as they came out, which is pretty much the normal process from one year to the next.”

    He added that incorporating the halo, which is mandatory for all teams in 2018, was a big challenge, a statement echoed by other teams.

    As the new Honda works team, Toro Rosso will undoubtedly be under more scrutiny than ever before this season. The team has admitted this year will be a building period, but team principal Franz Tost is optimistic about the partnership.

    “The cooperation with Honda is important to us, as it is the first time in the history of Toro Rosso that we are working in a partnership together with a car manufacturer,” he said.

    “It changes a lot, and it was very satisfying to see our engineers and our concept group sitting together with the Honda people, suggesting ways to improve the packaging in the chassis and so on.

    Honda has a great reputation around the world, and specifically in motorsport with a long and very successful racing history. We have established a close relationship and they have made big steps forward.”

    Honda has struggled since returning to Formula 1 in 2015, but the team hopes to be competitive by the end of the season.

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Article Written By: Bethonie Waring
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