Sainz boosted by Toro Rosso F1 2017 similarities to Mercedes

Toro Rosso became the final team to unveil its 2017 challenger at Barcelona on Sunday, with the STR12 featuring a Mercedes-style front suspension, sidepod and nose layout.

With the Faenza-based team having impressed with its aerodynamic development over recent years, Sainz has said he hopes the Mercedes similarities bode well for what Toro Rosso can deliver this year.

“I first need to try it and compare it to others on track, and see it on the stopwatch a bit, probably in the second week of testing, but at least the car, when it looks similar to the car that is winning every race, it gives me confidence and a good feeling,” said Sainz.

“I think Toro Rosso can be confident because if there is something they showed in the last three years, it is that they are able to do some good aerodynamics.

“With all these new regulations coming up I have confidence in the team that we can create a good base. [We will] probably not win the championship, I am not asking for that, but a weapon that allows us to be in the top ten, that is what I expect and I really hope for.

“And then there will be development. This year I know there is going to be massive development and I really hope we can hold onto it like we were not able to do last year because of the engine compromise.”

Mercedes coincidence

Technical director James Key said that while there were positives that it was Mercedes which had pursued a similar idea, there was also a slight disappointment that his team had not gone it alone.

“On the one hand we were sort of pleased to see someone else has done a similar thing, but on the other we were disappointed that we weren't the only team to think of something. Let's see.

“There's many different concepts out there, actually. The diversity is very obvious.”

Key made it clear, however, that it was a complete coincidence that Toro Rosso has come up with the Mercedes style rather than the idea having been copied.

“I looked at the Mercedes and went ‘Ah, they've got our front suspension.’ Most people would say we've got Mercedes' front suspension.

“The nose is similar, the front of the sidepods is similar, even the bodywork on the sidepods is similar. It’s complete coincidence.”

Key said the decision to change its nose philosophy had come about because Toro Rosso thought the narrower solution was better for the 2017 rules.

“It’s very much an aerodynamic decision from our group, who looked at the various options,” he added.

“It is a different direction to the one we’ve had – the last two years have been reasonably similar, for us but also for other teams.

“Looking at the various options, that narrow nose and narrow pylon space at the front we felt matched the philosophy we thought was correct for the car at the time. You’ll have to see how things progress.”