Toro Rosso STR7

Toro Rosso STR7
Daniel Ricciardo in his STR7 during the 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorToro Rosso
Designer(s)Giorgio Ascanelli (Technical Director)
Luca Furbatto (Chief Designer)
Nicolò Petrucci (Head of Aerodynamics)
PredecessorToro Rosso STR6
SuccessorToro Rosso STR8
Technical specifications[1]
EngineFerrari Type 056 (2011-spec) 2,398 cc (146 cu in) 90° V8, limited to 18,000 RPM with KERS naturally aspirated mid-mounted
Weight640 kg (1,411 lb) (including driver)
FuelShell V-Power[note 1]
LubricantsShell Helix[note 1]
TyresPirelli P Zero (dry), Cinturato (wet)[2]
Advanti Wheels (front and rear): 13"
Competition history
Notable entrantsScuderia Toro Rosso
Notable drivers16. Australia Daniel Ricciardo[3]
17. France Jean-Éric Vergne[3]
Debut2012 Australian Grand Prix
Last event2012 Brazilian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
200000

The Toro Rosso STR7[4] (initially referred to as the Toro Rosso TR7)[5] is a Formula One racing car designed by Scuderia Toro Rosso for use in the 2012 FIA Formula One World Championship. It was the seventh car run by the team, and the third car that they had developed since the introduction of rules in 2010 prohibiting teams from using a "customer chassis", or a design that had previously been used by another team. The car was driven by Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Éric Vergne, after the team elected not to renew the contracts of former drivers Sébastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari,[3] and was launched on 7 February 2012 at the first winter test of the season at Jerez de la Frontera.[5]

Season review

Jean-Eric Vergne during the Canadian Grand Prix
Main article: 2012 Formula One World Championship

The car proved promising in the first 2 races as Ricciardo and Vergne scored points each in those races. However, afterward, the car struggled for competitiveness as both drivers finished outside the points-scoring positions. Upgrades were fitted onto their cars when they headed for the Belgian GP. Since then, both drivers consistently scored points and the car showed improvements. They eventually finished the season in 9th place with 26 points with the best result of 8th place on 4 occasions where Vergne achieved all the points he had managed to get while finishing in that position.

Livery

The livery remained unchanged apart from the distinctive charging bull; furthermore, the team gained new sponsors for the season including Nova Chemicals and Cepsa.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Points WCC
2012 Scuderia Toro Rosso Ferrari Type 056 P AUS MAL CHN BHR ESP MON CAN EUR GBR GER HUN BEL ITA SIN JPN KOR IND ABU USA BRA 26 9th
Australia Daniel Ricciardo 9 12 17 15 13 Ret 14 11 13 13 15 9 12 9 10 9 13 10 12 13
France Jean-Éric Vergne 11 8 16 14 12 12 15 Ret 14 14 16 8 Ret Ret 13 8 15 12 Ret 8

References

  1. ^ a b "Toro Rosso confirms deals with Cepsa, Nova". motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. 6 September 2011. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  2. ^ Noble, Jonathan (25 January 2012). "Pirelli tweaks tyre markings for 2012 F1 season". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  3. ^ a b c "Ricciardo earns Toro Rosso ride". The Australian. News Limited. Agence France-Presse. 15 December 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  4. ^ "Toro Rosso technical director Giorgio Ascanelli – Tech talk". Red Bull. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  5. ^ a b "2012 Toro Rosso to appear at first test". Formula1.com. Formula One Management. 20 January 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012.

Notes

  1. ^ a b Despite CEPSA is an oil and gas company as a major sponsor of Scuderia Toro Rosso since mid-2011 season, the CEPSA branding appears on the STR7, but the car uses Shell V-Power fuels and Shell Helix lubricants.[1]
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