Toro Rosso secures Ferrari engine deal for 2016

Toro Rosso has confirmed that it will run current-spec Ferrari power units in 2016, with Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz returning for a second campaign.

After two years spent with Renault, the Faenza-based squad returns to the Maranello fold, having already been powered by Ferrari between 2007 and 2013. That period saw the small Italian outfit pick up his sole Formula One win, as Sebastian Vettel secured victory at a rain-hit Monza in 2008.

“It's great to be working with Ferrari again,” said Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost. “We had a fruitful relationship in the past and I'm sure it won't take long for us all to be working together very well again.

“It's true that time will be very tight for us to be ready for the first test, but we have the right team of people for this and I'm confident that together we will achieve a competitive package for next year – bring on 2016!”

Ferrari already provides engines to its works team as well as long-standing partners Sauber, and F1 newcomers Haas. The revered Italian organisation was allowed to supply another squad with year-old power units following last Wednesday’s meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.

Toro Rosso’s statement reads: “Bcause of the last minute nature of the decision relating to our power unit supply for next year, the team will use the very last specification used in the 2015 season.

“With Scuderia Ferrari's own cars finishing third and fourth in the final race of the year and second overall in the Constructors' Championship, that is a positive situation in which to start Scuderia Toro Rosso's 11^th year in Formula One.”

With Red Bull announcing that it will carry on using Renault engines, though these will be branded TAG Heuer, it will be interesting to keep an eye on how Toro Rosso fares against its parent team.

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