Toro Rosso announced that it has reached a multi-year agreement with Honda Motor Co. Ltd. to run Honda power units starting from the 2018 Formula 1 season.
Franz Tost (Scuderia Toro Rosso, Team Principal):
“Everyone in our team is very much looking forward to working with Honda. Ever since its founder Soichiro Honda entered his motorcycles in events, racing has always been a central part of the company’s ethos. It’s a very exciting challenge. And I hope that both parties will gain a great deal from it as we develop together. Honda has a long history in Formula 1. And, as an engine supplier it has taken five Drivers’ World Championship titles and six Constructors. This heritage, together with the full confidence that we have in Honda’s capabilities to succeed, make me strongly believe that we will achieve a fruitful future together.”
James Key (Scuderia Toro Rosso, Technical Director):
“We are very pleased with our new partnership with Honda and the opportunities this presents. And we start to work immediately. It will be a question of adaption of our plans rather than a wholesale change. We are in the process of re-planning our design and production activities in conjunction with Honda to ensure that we both hit all our important deadlines. There are some challenges to face given the time of year. But Toro Rosso has faced many difficult tasks with timing in the past and has the flexibility to deal with it.”
“We will be working hard not to only re-design the PU installation but also ensure that this has minimal or no effect on the ongoing development work for 2018. That is our current target. The architecture of the car will change in line with the PU requirements. And our chassis and gearbox designs are currently under review. Similarly we will be working closely with Honda on the performance aspects of the PU installation that the chassis will influence. [The aim] to ensure we maximise the potential of the package as a whole from the outset. We look forward to a strong, stable and proactive partnership with our colleagues at Honda.”
Takahiro Hachigo (President & Representative Director of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.):
“Toro Rosso is an experienced team with a youthful energy and history of nurturing the stars of the future. Everyone at Honda is looking forward to working with Toro Rosso. I would like to express our appreciation to Liberty Media and the FIA for their cooperation toward the realization of this partnership. Honda and Toro Rosso will work as one team to strive for progress and a successful future together. We appreciate the support of our fans as we begin this challenge.”
