Toro Rosso have unveiled their 2017 car in the form of the STR-12 in Barcelona, one day before the start of pre-season testing at the Circuit de Catalunya.
The STR-12 will be driven by Carlos Sainz Jr, and Daniil Kvyat, who remain as team mates at the Red Bull Junior team for a second year in succession. Much speculation however surrounded Toro Rosso’s 2017 driver line up, with there being rumors circulating around the paddock in 2016 that Sainz may be joining the Renault F1 Team, and that Kvyat may be dropped from the Red Bull Young Driver Programme following a disastrous 2016 Season which resulted in the young Russian being demoted from Red Bull Racing to his old 2014 team.
For 2017, Toro Rosso will run Renault engines after using 2015 spec Ferrari engines in 2016, which resulted in the team losing their competitive edge towards the end of the season as other teams began to out develop them. In a filming day earlier this week however, Toro Rosso found themselves in trouble after their Renault engine failed after only six laps – a problem that was terminal.
Like other teams across the grid, the STR-12 features larger barge boards, a more angular front wing, as well as the use of the ‘shark fin’ on the engine cover. The car does not however, feature a ‘thumb’ nose – something that a number of teams have adopted for 2017.
The livery of Toro Rosso’s 2017 car has also changed, with the team adopting a dark blue, silver, and red livery for the forthcoming season as opposed to the team’s traditional colours of dark blue and gold.
More images of the STR-12 can be seen here:
The #STR12 in action! ???? pic.twitter.com/1So5mDzZ9y
— Toro Rosso (@ToroRossoSpy) February 26, 2017
The Toro Rosso STR-12 will make its debut on track tomorrow on the first day of pre-season testing at the Circuit de Catalunya.
