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Toro Rosso enjoying freedom with Honda partnership

Published on 19 Mar 2018 12:09
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By: Fergal Walsh

Toro Rosso's team principal Franz Tost has admitted that the team is relishing in the freedom it has with Honda. While previously the Red Bull junior team was told how to design its car to fit an engine, this year it has had a say in the design of the Japanese power unit.

After dipping in and out of Renault and Ferrari power units over the last few years, Toro Rosso struck a deal with Honda for the 2018 season, who ended its relationship with McLaren at the conclusion of 2017.

Honda has struggled massively in terms of both pace and reliability since it returned to the sport in 2015. However, things seemed positive following the recent winter test, with no major faced issues throughout the eight days. Tost says that the relationship is proving healthy for Toro Rosso.

"It is a big difference, believe me," Tost told Autosport. "This starts with the design of the car. In the past, we just got a power unit and suppliers said: ‘Look, this is the power unit, with the pipes, with all the aggregates, just put it into your car’.

“Now our designers are sitting together with the Honda engineers, they think ‘OK, how can we create the oil tank, for example, in front of the engine, how to put it in a best possible way into the chassis.’ Or the exhaust system. This is a big impact on the aerodynamics on the side of the car.

"Also, when you get the hot air from radiators to the back, where do you get it out? In former times, we just had to find the way, and now we are discussing it with Honda."

Fergal Walsh

F1 News Renault Ferrari McLaren Honda

Replies (5)

mcbhargav

Posts: 1,332
Hope this doesn't turn out to be a nothingburger. TR has been talking a lot.
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- Mar 19 2018 - 15:19
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  They have, but note that it hasnt been promises of performance, just them saying they are happy so far. I think they say this for two reasons: one because they genuinly are pleased so far, and the other that they want to keep the pressure up on Honda. I personally think its both at once.
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  Mar 19 2018 - 17:58
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
I wonder how much extra work it is for an engine supplier to have to switch oil partner so frequently. Honda has now gone from ExxonMobil to BP to Repsol. They have partnerships with all three in various motorsports, so connections are no issue Im sure, but still.
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- Mar 19 2018 - 17:59
ajpennypacker

Posts: 2,475
Enough with the self-promotion. We get it. Honda thinks McLaren was an awful partner and Toro Rosso think Renault sucked. Now everything is "amazing", "healthy", "free." It actually sounds a lot like McLaren before the 2016 season.
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- Mar 19 2018 - 18:35
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Honestly, they are nowhere near the McLaren levels of self-smirking. And if you take a look at my earlier comments, I think there is far more than narcissism to these comments.
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  Mar 19 2018 - 19:08