Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsToro Rosso

Past Toro Rosso reliability issues now under control - Tost

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Scuderia Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost believes that the team's focus on tackling the reliability issues which impacted its 2015 season is already paying off.

The sheer amount of running the Faenza squad has enjoyed in Barcelona since the launch of its 2016 STR11 contender last week speaks to the diligent work conducted by its engineering team.

"After the first test I must say that we have achieved all our goals," Tost said.

"We were very much focused on reliability and the fact that we managed to do 447 laps/2080 km - which is the maximum amount we have ever done in a test session – proves that our engineers have done a good job.

"To be able to complete 161 laps in a day without any major problems is a brilliant result, which makes me look forward to the new season."

Tost expects the team, and its drivers, to step up its performance level as it aims for a podium finish on its own merit.

"Realistically, I expect that we can achieve a podium this year after getting so close to it last year in Budapest and Austin, where Max finished fourth.

"I hope that the new car works well and is reliable and that the team and drivers do a good job. Therefore a podium position should be possible. The target for us this year is to finish fifth in the Constructor's Championship."

Regarding the consolidation of the outfit's Bicester unit, which handles all aerodynamic work, with its Faenza main base, Tost believes that over the years, and with teh help of modern technology, seamless integration is no problem.

"In England we have a fantastic infrastructure with highly skilled engineers. Last year they even won an award for the most efficient race car and they do a fantastic job.

"f we were to move the wind tunnel to Italy, it would take a lot of time and to build it up takes even more time, and to calibrate it, even more... So we would lose a minimum one and a half seasons, maybe even more.

"That is one good reason to leave it in the UK. However, thanks to all the communication technologies available today, it's not a problem to set up regular video conference meeting and work in a very efficient way."

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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.