Toro Rosso: stars lining up for a great season

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Toro Rosso caught the pundits and the fans eyes last week in Barcelona when it rolled out its STR12, as much for the design as for the car's new livery.

A few minor issues with its Renault power unit hindered the team's mileage however for the first round of pre-season testing.

Still, team boss Franz Tost believes the Faenza-base outfit has the potential to raise its game and move itself up the grid.

"We look super aggressive - partly also because our livery looks really sharp," Tost told Formula1.com.

Renault engine progress huge, says Toro Rosso's Key

"When you look at the overall picture we should have all the ingredients to have a great season. I assume our car is competitive - with Renault we have a good engine

"We have competitive drivers; and the team has had stability in recent years.

"But in the end nobody really knows their position in the pecking order at this very moment. Four days’ running are simply not enough to have a final judgement."

Toro Rosso is partnering with Renault once again this year following a 2016 season in which it was powered by Ferrari.

Barcelona Week 2: live timing and commentary!

The team's tech boss James Key has already vaunted the merits of the French manufacturers power unit, and Tost's only hope is that the Italian squad will receive equal treatment on the engine front compared with Red Bull Racing and Renault's own works team.

"I hope we are all equals. We should receive the same parts and the same software. I am sure Renault will be fair enough to provide us with the same material the two other teams are using."

The prospects are thus looking good for Toro Rosso, but Tost also sees the general outlook for Formula 1 as highly positive.

"The new cars look super cool - very aggressive with the wider tyres and the much bigger front and rear wings.

"And the higher speed in the corners... I think fans will love it. Now we have to see how the racing is going to be - how the overtaking will work with these kinds of cars.

"Fans want to see fights between the drivers - that’s why they are coming to the races and watch TV."

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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.