26/02/2018
NEWS STORY
Having teased fans with just one picture as Brendon Hartley drove through the rain at a soggy Misano last week, this morning Toro Rosso officially presented its 2018 contender the STR13.
Featuring the Honda engine that may well power sister team Red Bull next season, the car was the object of much media attention as Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley pulled back the covers just minutes after Force India had revealed its car.
Following the maiden fire-up of the Honda engine and again after the Misano filming day, the Faenza based outfit was quick to make fun of the naysayers expecting the Italian team to suffer the same calamity as that endured by McLaren over the last three seasons.
However, with last year's pre-season test revealing (confirming) just how bad things were, and effectively convincing McLaren that enough was enough, the first hurdle for both Toro Rosso and Honda will be to get through the next week with as few issues as possible.
Hartley is due to drive the car today, with Gasly taking over tomorrow.
"I am really looking forward to begin this new season and enter a new era for our team, working together with Honda," said Franz Tost. "It's an exciting time for Toro Rosso because we have not had our own engine supplier before, so to partner with a manufacturer, with the history Honda has, will be great.
"We also have two accomplished rookies for the 2018 season. They are not completely new because both Pierre and Brendon drove a handful of races for us last year, but this will be their first full season in Formula 1. Both drivers come to us as champions, as Pierre won the 2016 GP2 (now F2) Championship, while Brendon is a double World Endurance Champion and 24 Hour of Le Mans winner. I'm convinced that if we provide them with a competitive car, they will be able to perform at very high levels.
"We have been working very hard on the STR13, and I'm happy we do not have to wait too long to see it running. The season has begun... Ganbarimasu!"
"I am delighted that our new car is here and ready for the start of winter testing, having been designed and built to a very tight schedule," added Katsuhide Moriyama, Chief Officer for Brand and Communication Operations, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. "That is a tribute to the dedication of the Honda and Scuderia Toro Rosso personnel who have already learned to work very well together, developing the STR13 chassis and RA618H power unit package over the short winter months.
"Now we have just eight days to evaluate our work on the track, in order to be ready for the coming season. We appreciate the warm support from the fans and hope they enjoy watching us compete in this year's championship."
Check out our Toro Rosso STR13 gallery, here.
More to follow