Red Bull to share more parts with Toro Rosso in 2018

©WRI2

Red Bull Racing and sister outfit Toro Rosso will expand their parts-sharing programme next year in a bid to cut costs and improve performance.

Toro Rosso still remains very much its own team but it only makes sense for a team owner to develop synergies and pull resources together between the two outfits.

This was the plan, that there will be more synergies between the teams,” said Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost.

"This will continue because we have already the gearbox internals and the hydraulics system and other parts from Red Bull. But I think for next year we will increase this number.

Tost explained the logical reasons for the increased sharing.

"There are two major topics as to why. First of all to improve the performance, second is to save costs, because it’s not necessary that we fabricate the same parts and design them if we can buy them from Red Bull."

Tost also insisted that with regard to its engine partner, Renault would dispense exactly the same service and treatment to both teams.

"The contract says that we get the same hardware and software, and this is what we expect because we pay a lot of money and we expect a good service."

Share collaboration between two teams is governed by a listed parts protocol where a team must design and produce a series of parts and components on its own, fully independently.

"It’s important that neither team is compromised by sharing because the listed parts tend to be the biggest performance differentiators," says Toro Rosso tech boss James key.

"If you’ve got something which isn’t compatible, it’s tricky. So I think where it’s got some form of aero relationship, you have to be careful because you can put listed parts on which can have an implication on aero.

"Whereas if it’s something in the gearbox for example, which is far easier to deal with, then it’s easier to do. So I think it’s a mix and match to get the best solution possible."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.