Toro Rosso unveil STR8, aim to improve on last year’s results

By Berthold Bouman

Also present in Jerez, Spain, today was Red Bull’s Italian sister team Toro Rosso, who unveiled their 2013 car, the STR8. Toro Rosso finished in ninth place of the Constructors’ Championship last year, but are this season aiming for more podium places.

The STR8 features a so-called vanity panel to hide the stepped nose, and has a similar exhaust system as the 2012 car.

Team Principal Franz Tost believes his team is ready for the future, “Formula One is approaching a new era, specifically in 2014, and, at Toro Rosso, we have already made significant changes to our structure both in terms of manpower and facilities, to be ready for that.”

And he added, “We believe the changes made will also help in the short-term for this coming season and, combined with the fact that Daniel and Jean-Eric are more experienced, now that they have a season with us under their belts, we start winter testing in a mood of justified optimism.”

Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniel Ricciardo embark on their second journey with the Italian team, last year they finished in 17th and 18th place respectively of the Drivers’ Championship.

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All Photos: Toro Rosso

Frenchman Vergne is going into his second full Formula One season and commented, “Going into this season is a completely different experience to this time last year, when I had to deal with a lot of unknowns. I had to learn the majority of tracks, understand so many details about Formula One and adapt to working with the team.”

But he’s adamant this season will be different from his point of view, “This year, I will still be learning — you never stop in Formula One — but the basics are there and I will be able to focus on more important aspects of the job. In general, I sense a new philosophy within Toro Rosso: I wouldn’t say people are working harder, but maybe they are going in a better direction.”

Ricciardo enjoyed a holiday in his native Australia, where the first race of the season also will take place on March 17. He too, has learned a lot, “The 2013 version of me is a more confident person and driver, with more self-belief than last year. I’ve always had the desire and determination to succeed and now I’m ready to reinforce that and let everyone see what I’m all about.”

And the Australian driver added, “I spent most of the winter Down Under and when I came back into the factory in Faenza, I could feel a very positive atmosphere with everyone excited about the new car. The target for us this year is very simple: to improve on last year!”