Toro Rosso officially launch the STR12

The Toro Rosso team launched its new car, the STR12 and has now completed all of the car launches for this season.

On the eve of the first test of the season, the team’s drivers Carlos Sainz Jr and Daniil Kvyat took the covers off the STR12 in the circuit’s pit lane.

The Red Bull junior team which is now in its 12th year of competition in Formula One is hoping to make the most of the new regulations for 2017 and its new Renault engine deal, after using a season-old Ferrari power unit last year.

The car features a nose similar to Mercedes’, making Toro Rosso the only other team to break from the thumb-tip style noses, a style which has been prevalent since safety regulations were introduced to lower them in 2014.

The front suspension also bears some resemblance to the Mercedes W08, the top wishbones are higher than normal and require an extra mount to the front uprights.

The bodywork is tightly packaged around the sidepods and the rear, but the car retains a large airbox intake similar to the one on last year’s Ferrari-powered car.

For the first time in its 12-year history, Toro Rosso has made a significant change to its livery, with a striking metallic blue, day-glow red and silver paint scheme. And it is absolutely beautiful! I really do like it.

Red Bull branding is still prominent on the nose and engine cover, but the junior team’s style is a major departure and very different to the senior team’s.

The STR12 has already taken part in a filming day at the Misano Circuit in Italy, but encountered an engine problem while on track. On Monday, it will join the other nine cars in clocking up its first miles of official testing this season at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Sarah Jones- @jonesy_laaa