The new Toro Rosso car for the 2018 Formula 1 World Championship – STR13 – was unveiled this morning at the Catalunya circuit. This is the first collaboration between the Faenza team and Honda. Drivers Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley pulled the covers off of the STR13.
The car sticks with our striking blue, red and silver livery. But it makes history as the first car produced by Toro Rosso featuring an exclusive engine partnership with Honda.
Introducing our new #STR13! pic.twitter.com/OQwPqiFWEa
— Toro Rosso (@ToroRosso) February 26, 2018
Franz Tost (Toro Rosso Honda Team Principal):
“I am really looking forward to begin this new season and enter a new era for our team, working together with Honda. It’s an exciting time for Toro Rosso because we have not had our own engine supplier before, so to partner with a manufacturer, with the history Honda has, will be great.”
“We also have two accomplished rookies for the 2018 season. They are not completely new because both Pierre and Brendon drove a handful of races for us last year, but this will be their first full season in Formula 1. Both drivers come to us as champions, as Pierre won the 2016 GP2 (now F2) Championship, while Brendon is a double World Endurance Champion and 24 Hour of Le Mans winner. I’m convinced that if we provide them with a competitive car, they will be able to perform at very high levels. We have been working very hard on the STR13, and I’m happy we do not have to wait too long to see it running. The season has begun… Ganbarinasu!”
Katsuhide Moriyama (Chief Officer for Brand and Communication Operations, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.):
“Our new car is a tribute to the dedication of the Honda and Scuderia Toro Rosso personnel who have already learned to work very well together, developing the STR13 chassis and RA618H power unit package over the short winter months. Now we have just eight days to evaluate our work on the track, in order to be ready for the coming season. We appreciate the warm support from the fans and hope they enjoy watching us compete in this year’s championship.”
Not wasting any time, @BrendonHartley hits the track to register some early laps ?
Not that we’re biased, but what a good looking machine! #F1 #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/VyJjG6mlws
— Toro Rosso (@ToroRosso) February 26, 2018
