The Scuderia Toro Rosso Formula One squad is set to return to using Ferrari-sourced engines from the 2016 season.
The second F1 team owned by Red Bull tycoon Dietrich Mateschitz had used Ferrari engines from 2007 to 2013. For the past two years, it has been powered by Renault engines which have been plagued by performance and reliability issues.
Because of its late deal with the Ferrari for the 2016 season, Toro Rosso will run 2015-spec engines for next season. Despite that, it should enjoy improved performance over this year considering that the Scuderia Ferrari squad managed to finish the 2015 season second in the constructors championship losing out only to the all-conquering Mercedes, but being best of the rest.
According to director Franz Tost, “It’s great to be working with Ferrari again. We had a fruitful relationship in the past and I’m sure it won’t take long for us all to be working together very well again. It’s true that time will be very tight for us to be ready for the first test, but we have the right team of people for this and I’m confident that together we will achieve a competitive package for next year – bring on 2016!”
Alongside the announcement that it will use Ferrari engines next year, Toro Rosso has also confirmed that young drivers Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz will remain with the team for the new season.
Toro Rosso’s abandonment of Renault engines will mean the French automaker will only supply engines to its own squad and Red Bull Racing.