Ferrari Rules Out 2016 Engine Supply for Toro Rosso
Toro Rosso will use Ferrari’s 2015 Formula One engine for the 2016 season, with both teams dismissing speculation of a mid-year upgrade to the latest power unit.
Toro Rosso will compete in the 2016 Formula One season with Ferrari’s 2015-specification engine, following clear denials from both teams regarding speculation about a possible upgrade to the latest power unit during the year. Italian media recently suggested that Toro Rosso, Red Bull’s junior team, might switch to Ferrari’s 2016 engine partway through the season. The teams, however, have dismissed these reports.
Toro Rosso to Use 2015 Ferrari Engine in 2016
Rumours Dismissed by Both Teams
Franz Tost, Toro Rosso’s team principal, described the rumour as baseless and said it was not under consideration. Similarly, Ferrari spokesperson Alberto Antonini stated he was unaware of such a plan and highlighted the technical challenges involved. Both teams made it clear that there are no plans for Toro Rosso to upgrade to the 2016 engine during the season.
Technical and Regulatory Context
Toro Rosso’s return to Ferrari power comes after a period using Renault engines. For the 2016 season, the STR11 car has been developed specifically around the 2015 Ferrari power unit. Formula One regulations do allow teams to use different engine specifications, but integrating a current-year power unit is not a straightforward process. Adapting the car to a new engine specification would require significant modifications to the chassis and other systems, making a mid-season switch highly complex.
The STR11 was designed to accommodate the older Ferrari engine, rather than the latest specification. This decision was made well before the season began, meaning that any change would involve substantial work and could compromise performance or reliability. Both teams have cited these technical and logistical factors as the reason for ruling out an upgrade to the 2016 engine during the campaign.
Background: Toro Rosso’s Engine History
Toro Rosso previously used Ferrari engines before switching to Renault power units. The return to Ferrari for 2016 was prompted by a desire for improved reliability and performance after several challenging seasons with Renault. However, the agreement secured by Toro Rosso was for the previous year’s engine, not the latest version supplied to Ferrari’s works team.
Chassis Compatibility and Season Outlook
With the STR11 built around the 2015 engine, the team’s focus will be on maximising performance within these constraints. The denial of a mid-season upgrade means Toro Rosso will need to compete against rivals using more current power units, presenting an additional challenge throughout the 2016 campaign.
