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Toro Rosso hauled in front of the Stewards for 'unsafe' car!

Toro Rosso found itself in hot water Thursday at Silverstone when it presented Carlos Sainz car to the Stewards at scrutineering.

A damaged wheel tether was found on the #55 STR12, but when the Stewards requested the component to be replaced, the team refused.

"During initial scrutineering car number 55 was found to have a damaged wheel tether," read a note released by the FIA's technical department.

"The scrutineers made the team Scuderia Toro Rosso aware of this and asked the team to replace it.

"The team refused to follow the instructions of the scrutineers and therefore the technical delegate checked the damaged tether himself and found that the tether was not only damaged but also several cut fibres were knotted together.

"Therefore the team was aware of the damaged tether and presented the car in an unsafe condition for scrutineering."

Toro Rosso's attempt to enter the car is a breach of Article 12.1.1.b of the FIA's International Sporting Code, which states it is an offence to enter a car that is known to be 'ineligible'.

The Faenza-based outfit has now been asked to explain itself.

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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.