James Key: “The biggest challenge in two decades”

Like the other stables, Toro Rosso take advantage of the winter break to finalize the design of its  F1 for the 2017 season where the new regulations will offer an increase in performance, particularly in terms of aerodynamics. Engineers are faced with many unknown parameters such as the increased size of Pirelli tires compared to previous years.

Toro Rosso technical director James Key believes this period is one of the most exciting for his department in many seasons.

“It’s a real change, recognized the British engineer. Considering the bodywork, suspension and tires, this is the biggest change seen in F1 in almost 19 years. In terms of the chassis, it's completely unseen in more than two decades, even more so than in 2009 or 2014. It's an exciting moment. We started this project in September 2015, so it has been 14 months since construction began. At the time, the rules on the chassis weren't even defined yet, but it was thought that it was best to get on with it as soon as possible with such changes. »

Toro Rosso will be able to count on the support of the team Red Bull Racing, especially since the two structures will evolve again with the Power unit of Renault from next year (even if Red Bull's 6l V1.6 will remain Tag Heuer badged).

“We won't really have any opportunities to pool our skills in 2017, recognized James Key. The problem with a new regulation is that we can't discuss much since we have to go through the whole creation process. It will be more open in the second season, once we have identified the things that work. It will definitely be useful to have the same engine. We will share many things in certain sectors of mechanics. »