James Key denies testing 2015 Toro Rosso car

James Key on Thursday clarified reports that Toro Rosso did not take its 2016 car to the first Barcelona test. Carlos Sainz had been quoted as saying that, amid the Faenza team's rush to fit its new Ferrari engines for 2016, Toro Rosso had prepared an interim car built around the 2015 car.

The Spaniard suggested the "full" STR11 will then make its debut next week in race livery.


Technical boss Key, however, is quoted by the Spanish sports daily Marca as saying the all-blue single seater collecting laps this week "is definitely this year's car".

"There are two parts that are temporary, because the new ones will come for the next test," he added. "But they are the only two pieces from 2015 that are in this car."

Key admitted that the 2016 machine is very much based on last year's model.

"We were very happy with the chassis last year -- it was a big step for us. So we wanted to keep everything that worked," he added.

But it seems that the 2016 Toro Rosso may actually be heavier, as compromises were made to accommodate the last-minute switch from Renault power.

It means Sainz, who spent some of the winter training with top triathlete Mario Mola, was asked to lose weight.

Replies (4)

Login to reply
  • I wonder how they expect Sainz to lose any more weight. Remove a pair of ribs on him, maybe? ;)

    • + 0
    • Feb 26 2016 - 16:59
    • Hepp

      Posts: 200

      LOL .. reminds me of the MOBILE1 commercial a few years back. Tony Stewart and Lewis Hamilton. Tony had to SQUEEEEEZE into the F1 car and Lewis looked like he needed a booster seat for the Stock Car. It was shot at Watkin's Glenn.

      • + 0
      • Feb 27 2016 - 07:07
    • Hepp

      Posts: 200

      LOL ... He is a tiny lad ... lets see the one telling him this to come for a workout.

      • + 0
      • Feb 27 2016 - 07:56
  • It is like horse racing. The want the most light jockey on there horses. In this case the have problems with overweight of there cars. The have to look somewhere don't the?

    • + 0
    • Feb 27 2016 - 12:02

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar