Toro Rosso confirms switch to Honda engines from 2018
Baku, September 15, AZERTAC
Scuderia Toro Rosso has confirmed it will use Honda Formula 1 engines from next year in place of Renault after agreeing a “multi-year” deal, according to motorsport.com.
This comes as part of a series of announcements centred on Honda ending its supply deal with McLaren, which also includes Carlos Sainz Jr moving from Toro Rosso to drive for Renault next year.
Toro Rosso director James Key explained that work is under way to adapt the 2018 Toro Rosso to take Honda engines, but that this will not require drastic changes despite the late deal.
“It will be a question of adaption of our plans rather than a wholesale change and we are in the process of re-planning our our design and production activities in conjunction with Honda to ensure that we both hit all our important deadlines,” said Key.
Takahiro Hachigo, president of Honda Motor Company, thanked the FIA and commercial rights holder Liberty Media for the part it played in this deal happening.
"Toro Rosso is an experienced team with a youthful energy and history of nurturing the stars of the future," said Hachigo.
Toro Rosso has yet to confirm its 2018 driver line-up, with Honda protege Nobuharu Matsushita and Red Bull junior Pierre Gasly the leading candidates to replace Renault-bound Sainz alongside Kvyat.
A Renault statement said that the termination of its supply deal with Toro Rosso, which started in 2014, was “mutually agreed”.
It is understood McLaren has not been asked to supply Toro Rosso with a gearbox as part of the deal.
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