In a day filled with Renault news, Toro Rosso became the latest team to announce that its 2016 chassis has passed the mandatory FIA crash tests ahead of pre-season testing.

The Italian team will entrust its new James Key-designed challenger to Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz, who return to Faenza after their impressive rookie campaigns.

Having used Renault power units since the start of the latest turbo era in 2014, Toro Rosso has come back to the Ferrari fold, though it will race year-old engines.

“Mission accomplished! The STR11 has successfully passed all the crash tests!” the Red Bull junior outfit said on its official Twitter feed.

Toro Rosso finished seventh in the Constructors’ championship last year, while Verstappen was its highest-ranked driver in 12th with 49 points.

The two four-day pre-season tests will take place from February 22-25 and March 1-4 in Barcelona.

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Schumacher’s first F1 winner hits the auction block

Michael Schumacher’s 1992 Benetton B192, the very car that delivered his maiden Formula 1 victory,…

15 hours ago

Why Bortoleto thinks Verstappen could be the perfect teammate

Gabriel Bortoleto is not buying into the widespread idea that lining up alongside Max Verstappen…

18 hours ago

Eddie Cheever: Still the American driver with the most F1 starts

Today, we wish a happy 68th birthday to Eddie Cheever who remains after all these…

19 hours ago

In pictures: Audi's first day on track in Barcelona

History was made at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Friday as the Audi Revolut F1…

21 hours ago

Mercedes pays tribute to motorsport legend Hans Herrmann

The flags at Mercedes-Benz have been lowered to half-mast as the racing community mourns the…

21 hours ago

McLaren locks in ‘Super Monday’ launch date for 2026 contender

McLaren have officially completed Formula 1’s 2026 launch calendar, confirming they will unveil their new…

23 hours ago