Toro Rosso rises again

“Thanks to Honda’s improvement, the Toro Rosso flitted between being just inside Q3 and just outside”

Since the glory days of Sebastian Vettel, Toro Rosso has been a bit-part player in Formula 1. But in 2019 it had its most successful season since that famous year, matching its 2008 best of sixth in the constructors’ championship and twice claiming podium finishes.

The departure of technical director James Key last season ahead of his arrival at Mclaren led to a switch in the philosophy of the team. Jody Egginton took his place, initially as de facto technical director in his role as deputy before picking up the real title, and focused on leaning as much as possible on the kit available from

Red Bull. With a car built around the Red Bull 2018 suspension and gearbox, plus other non-listed parts, there were fewer problems and therefore more mileage this year.

Toro Rosso was therefore able to focus its efforts on aero development. There was a change of philosophy there too, opting for a drip-feed of upgrades rather than large packages, something that had caused problems the year before. The pragmatic decision to pursue the unloaded outboard front-wing concept, which appears easier to manage aerodynamically in terms of the wake off the wing and front wheel, led to a car that was all-round a little easier to get the best out of than its predecessor.

Thanks to Honda’s improvement, the Toro Rosso flitted between being just inside Q3 and just outside, but it was usually a points threat in the races. Crucially, it seized its big chances with a podium finish for Daniil Kvyat at Hockenheim after a slick-tyre gamble – backed up by the revelatory Alex Albon’s even-better performance on his way to sixth place – and mid-season returnee Pierre Gasly’s second place at Interlagos after dominating the midfield fight. That allowed it to finish just six points behind fifth-placed Renault in the constructors’ table. The gap was a little flattering, but said much about Toro Rosso’s superior execution.