Autosportfoto

Toro Rosso will consider Honda requests on F1 line-up

Franz Tost confirms Toro Rosso will take a number of viewpoints, including Honda's, into account when settling on its line-up.

Scuderia Toro Rosso Formula 1 chief Franz Tost says the team will consider any requests new engine partner Honda may have concerning its driver line-up for 2018 as it begins to consider its future plans.

Toro Rosso confirmed last week in Singapore it would be linking up with Honda from 2018, as well as losing lead driver Carlos Sainz Jr. to Renault for next season.

The team currently fields Sainz alongside Daniil Kvyat, and has Red Bull youngster Pierre Gasly waiting in the wings, but will consider input from all interested parties - including Honda - before firming up its line-up for next year.

"Currently we have two quite successful and competitive drivers with Daniil Kvyat and Carlos Sainz and I assume that they will finish the season with us," Tost said.

"Regarding the drivers for next year, Red Bull will decide who is driving with us, and of course we will also take into consideration any request from our partners."

Honda has helped the career of Formula 2 racer Nobuharu Matsushita, with the Japanese youngster being part of McLaren's junior programme for the past three years.

Matsushita has been linked with a Toro Rosso seat for 2018, but is currently 36 points short of the required figure for an FIA Super Licence, and looks unlikely to hit the required score of 40 by the end of the F2 season.

Zdroj: crash.net