Toro Rosso rules out switch to 2016 Ferrari engine
Team principal Franz Tost has ruled out that Toro Rosso will be switching to a 2016-spec Ferrari engine during the upcoming F1 season.
Carlos Sainz Jr., Scuderia Toro Rosso STR11
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Toro Rosso secured an engine deal with Ferrari at the end of last year after experiencing a difficult period with Renault.
The downside of this agreement is that the Faenza-based outfit has to use a one year-old power unit in 2016.
At the start of the year there was talk in Italy that a switch to the latest engine spec could be a possibility later in the season, but Tost says this will not happen.
"No, this is not taken into consideration, because this means to build a completely new car," Tost made clear.
"This is a question of time and a question of money. Toro Rosso is not in the situation to come up with so many upgrades and to build two new cars in one season. So no, I don't think so."
No upgrades
The 2015 Ferrari engine will not be getting any development this year, something that could harm Toro Rosso in the second part of the season, when other teams are getting updated engines.
For Toro Rosso this was clear from the very beginning and Tost doesn't expect this situation to change.
"If Ferrari comes up with some new upgrades I would be more than happy," the Austrian said.
"But I think they will be concentrating on developing their 2016 engine and not spend time on the 2015 engine. At least, this is what I know.
"It would be a positive surprise if they come up to us and say: we have a new upgrade."
Additional reporting by Oleg Karpov
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