Toro Rosso staff gets lessons in Japanese culture!

Toro Rosso is determined to make the most of its new partnership with Honda, immersing key staff and personnel into Japanese culture.

Team boss Franz Tost says the approach is destined to adjust the Faenza-based squad's thinking to the Japanese mentality to help boost the relationship with McLaren's former engine partner.

"For a better understanding of Japanese culture, seminars and workshops are being taken up with great interest by our employees," Tost told Speed Week.

"We all know that Japan has its own culture and it's one of the really exciting challenges actually to synchronise that with our own culture," he added.

"If we were not convinced that it can be achieved, we would never have gone ahead with this project."

• Good news and bad news for Toro Rosso

After McLaren decided to disunite from Honda, it was a late switch for Toro Rosso from Renault to the Japanese supplier. But Tost insists the team has had enough time to integrate the very different power unit.

"Actually an early decision like this is rare," he insisted.

"Let me remind you that the change to Ferrari two years ago was decided in December, but we managed to do it in a timely manner. The use of our own transmission simplifies the process," Tost said.

Tost believes its allegience to Honda will help the junior bull squad find sponsors, but that the existing basic team structure will remain unchanged.

"The number of employees is a healthy basis for a successful future," he said.

"The realistic goal for us is a place in the midfield. Generally, I do not expect big changes.

"I'm still expecting Mercedes but of course I'm hoping that Red Bull and Ferrari fight for the championship. And if I'm honest, I hope more for Red Bull than for Ferrari."

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