Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsToro Rosso

Toro Rosso wants a top 5 finish in 2016

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Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost is aiming for a top 5 finish in this year's Formula 1 Constructers' Championship, believing the target is well within the Faenza-based team's reach.

Tost is assuming the reliability issues which underlined the team's performance last season have been corrected, and that its new-found Ferrari power shall also instill a fresh impetus which will help the Italian squad in its quest to become a consistent points-scorer this year.

"This season the target is as well the top five," said Tost. "Last year we couldn’t achieve it because we simply missed the reliability that you need to achieve this goal.

"We had 12 non-finishes: two were caused by drivers but the rest were by the team. I hope this year we will see the chequered flag at all the races, and if this is the case then I am convinced that the team is in the position to finish in the top five."

Tost expressed confidence in the qualities of Toro Rosso's new STR11 chassis, believing it will enable Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz to further move up the ladder.

"I think the new car, the STR11, is a competitive car. All the data from the aerodynamic side shows quite good results.

"Also, we are together with Ferrari, which will help us improve the performance for sure. Plus we have two highly talented drivers who showed good performance last year.

"They are experienced now, as it is their second season. They know all the race tracks, they know how the teams work and they know their life in F1, therefore, I expect also from their side, a real good performance."

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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.