Franz Tost has rubbished suggestions Red Bull has helped its junior team Toro Rosso to stride forwards at the end of 2011.
In the lucrative battle for sixth in the constructors’ championship, former Minardi squad Toro Rosso – 100 per cent owned by Red Bull – has sped past the pace of its rivals Force India and Sauber.
According to reports, the difference between sixth and eighth in the constructors’ title standings is up to $10 million. Toro Rosso principal Tost admitted “millions” are at stake, but he vigorously denied that the team’s big brother Red Bull Racing has been lending a hand.
“That’s nonsense,” he charged to Auto Bild Motorsport. “We have just been developing the car. We have brought a new front wing, a new rear wing and improved the diffuser massively, and the changes worked right away.
“At the same time the others have admitted to not having the same approach,” added Tost, indicating that Toro Rosso’s main rivals are more focused on 2012.
Tost’s final argument is, however, surprising, given the fact Toro Rosso shares its customer engine partner with key rival Sauber.
“Ferrari has worked intensively on the blown diffuser, which has brought progress to us as well,” he said.
Source:GMM
