Toro Rosso STR2

Toro Rosso STR2
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Scuderia Toro Rosso
Designer	Adrian Newey
Team	Scuderia Toro Rosso
Drivers	2007: 18. Vitantonio Liuzzi 2007: 19. Scott Speed 2007: 19. Sebastian Vettel 2008: 14. Sébastien Bourdais 2008: 15. Sebastian Vettel
Chassis	carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite structure
Front suspension	cast titanium uprights, pushrods, carbon-fibre upper and lower wishbones
Rear suspension	cast titanium uprights, pushrods, carbon-fibre upper and lower wishbones
Engine name	Ferrari 056
Capacity	2398cc
Configuration	V8, 19,000 RPM Limited
Turbo/NA
Engine position
Gearbox name
Gears	7-speed
Type	longitudinally mounted high-pressure hydraulic system for power shift and clutch operation AP Racing triple-plate-type clutch
Differential
Fuel
Tyres	Bridgestone Potenza AVUS Racing Front: 12.0 to 12.7in x 13in Wheels AVUS Racing Rear: 13.7in x 13in Wheels
Debut	2007 Australian Grand Prix
Races	21
Wins	0
Cons champ
Drivers champ
Poles	0
Fastest laps	0

The Toro Rosso STR2 is the car with which the Scuderia Toro Rosso team competed in the 2007 Formula One season. It was unveiled on February 13 2007 at the Circuit de Catalunya. The car is, controversially, a variant of the Red Bull RB3 chassis (although powered by a Ferrari instead of a Renault engine). It was initially driven by Vitantonio Liuzzi and Scott Speed, until Speed was replaced by Sebastian Vettel at the Hungaroring for the remainder of the season. The car in a modified version is also be used to compete in the first four grand prix of the 2008 Formula One season. The modified car is drive by Sébastien Bourdais, four-consective-time Champ Car winner, and Vettel.

Controversy

Spyker and Williams before and throughout the season repeatedly stated their belief that the STR2 is in fact identical to the Red Bull RB3. Central to their objection was their belief that the Concorde Agreement clearly requires all teams to construct their own individual chassis. Both teams threatened legal action over the possible breach of regulations, particularly Colin Kolles, the Spyker team principal.

Launch

A STR2 at the 2007 Red Bull Air Race London.

The car was launched in a low key event on a test day at the Circuit de Catalunya on 13th February 2007, and immediately attracted the expected controversy when photos were released. There was a pre-event fear of the car not being ready but work through the previous night by the mechanics ensured that it was unveiled on time. Liuzzi was confirmed as one of the team's drivers at the launch but the announcement of his teammate was delayed due to 'contractual issues'. Scott Speed, who partnered Liuzzi at the team in 2006, was believed to be the most likely choice, and his re-appointment was later confirmed. The car itself was, as explained, a development version of Red Bull Racing's RB3. The Red Bull RB3 was designed by Adrian Newey, who earned a reputation as one of the most successful F1 designers with Championship-winning cars at both Williams and McLaren. In order for Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso to use the chassis, Newey was employed by 'new' consortium named Red Bull Technology. This provided a loop-hole for STR around the prohibition of chassis sharing, as both teams were legally using a car developed by an 'independent' third party. Team Principal Franz Tost commented at the launch,

"We are quite optimistic, I think we can make a step forward with the new car and the new engine. We have one very experienced driver and the second we will see.

"Therefore it is becoming better and better and we expect a quite successful season."

STR2 & STR2B Development

2007 STR2 Car Development

Generally the STR2 and RB3 received aerodynamic revisions at different stages through the season. The STR2 was fitted with a new front wing in Monaco, similar to the one that sister team Red Bull implemented in the previous round, with 2 curved upper profiles that improve airflow over the car and increase downforce. The team further developed the STR2 in Turkey with a new barge board development. The STR2 was fitted with a "arch" over the nose on the front wing around the Belgian Grand Prix, the Red Bull RB3s did not sport such a wing design until around the Japanese Grand Prix.

2008 STR2B Car Development

The STR2 has been developed further to include the new McLaren Electronic Systems "Standardised Electronic Control Unit" that prevents the cars having electronic driver aids like engine braking and traction control. The car has also been adapted for the new rules on driver safety with higher headrests around the cockpit. Another development is a new gearbox, as the 2008 rules state that cars must have a gearbox that lasts for four races: if one fails, the driver will face a penalty of five places on the starting grid.

So far this year the main development for the team has been the gearbox for the early 2008 testing season, Chief Engineer Laurent Mekies thinks the team "are going in the right direction" on the gearbox development.

Driver Sebastian Vettel has also said that the STR2B has its advantages to be starting the 2008 season, as its a proven machine and it wont have any of the niggles or teething problems of a new car. The team's new car, the STR3, will probably not be launched until around or after April.

The STR2B underwent a total re-working of the front suspension at the Barcelona test on 1-3 February, This is to make better use of the Bridgestone Potenza tyres, but also clean up the area from the front wing to under the drivers seat, this will improve the efficiency of the rear diffuser, thus providing more grip.

2007 season

Liuzzi's STR2 during the 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix, the last race of the season. In the latter half of the season, the arch shaped wing was installed over the front wing and front nose.

The team's results during the season were generally poor compared to its rivals. For the first half of the season, the STR2 did not reach the level of competitiveness expected, especially when compared to the 'sister' Red Bull Racing team. The car's main weakness, which it shared with the RB3, was the new seamless shift gearbox, which frequently failed during races. Results did pick up slightly in the second half of the season, as both Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso started to find more reliability with the car. A double points finish in China, with Vettel fourth and Liuzzi sixth, gave the team a total of eight world championship points. This gave Toro Rosso a 7th place finish in the Constructors' Standings after the disqualification of McLaren.

2007-08 Testing

An STR2B driven by Sebastian Bourdais at Valencia in January 2008.

Toro Rosso tested with the STR2 in late 2007 and early 2008. The team ran the car with the new McLaren Electronic Systems "Standardised Electronic Control Unit" and evaluated the possibility of re-introducing of slick tyres in the 2009 season.

The car was driven by the team's 2008 drivers, Sebastian Vettel and four time Champ Car World Series champion Sébastien Bourdais. Vettel was fastest in one of the late 2007 tests in Jerez on the 2009-spec Bridgestone slick tyres and with lower downforce levels.

In 2008, the car has been consistently quick; at Jerez Vettel was sixth fastest on day one of the test,while Bourdais was seventh fastest the following day. The STR2 will start the 2008 season with the STR3 being rolled out mid season.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year	Entrant	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	Points	WCC
2007	Scuderia Toro Rosso	Ferrari V8	B		AUS	MAL	BHR	ESP	MON	CAN	USA	FRA	GBR	EUR	HUN	TUR	ITA	BEL	JPN	CHN	BRA		8	7th
				Liuzzi	14	17	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	17	Ret	16	Ret	Ret	15	17	12	9	6	13
				Speed	Ret	14	Ret	Ret	9	Ret	13	Ret	Ret	Ret
				Vettel											16	19	18	Ret	Ret	4	Ret
2008	Scuderia Toro Rosso	Ferrari V8	B		AUS	MAL	BHR	ESP	TUR	MON	CAN	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	EUR	BEL	ITA	SIN	CHN	JPN	BRA	2*	9th*
				Bourdais	7	Ret	15	Ret
				Vettel	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret

* Season in progress * 2 points scored with the STR2B

External links

• STR 2 Official Tech Specs
• Tech Specs on F1Technical.net