A profile of the Toro Rosso Formula 1 team

Toro Rosso have improved dramatically in the second half of the season

Team Toro Rosso-Ferrari 2011 Season Stats

Last updated: Thursday, 15 November 2012 12:31 UK

Race	Date	Race Pts	Total Pts
Australian GP	27 Mar 2011	4	4
Malaysian GP	10 Apr 2011	0	4
Chinese GP	17 Apr 2011	0	4
Turkish GP	8 May 2011	2	6
Spanish GP	22 May 2011	0	6
Monaco GP	29 May 2011	1	7
Canadian Grand Prix	12 Jun 2011	5	12
European GP	26 Jun 2011	4	16
British GP	10 Jul 2011	1	17
German GP	24 Jul 2011	0	17
Hungarian GP	31 Jul 2011	5	22
Belgian GP	28 Aug 2011	0	22
Italian GP	11 Sep 2011	7	29
Singapore GP	25 Sep 2011	0	29
Japanese GP	9 Oct 2011	0	29
Korean Grand Prix	16 Oct 2011	8	37
Indian Grand Prix	30 Oct 2011	4	41
Abu Dhabi GP	13 Nov 2011	0	41
Brazilian GP	27 Nov 2011	0	41

MEET THE BOSS - FRANZ TOST

Can you explain your team's philosophy in three words?
Passion, discipline and commitment.

Why do Toro Rosso race?
As a team involved in any sport, we race to win.

As a business, Red Bull created this team to promote its product to increase sales. F1 is a great shop window, as its viewing figures are huge and it is a truly global sport.

TORO ROSSO FACTS AND STATS Nationality: Italian and Austrian Headquarters: Faenza (Italy) Debut season: 2006 Drivers: Daniel Ricciardo Jean-Eric Vergne Test/reserve driver: Sebastien Buemi Team owner: Dietrich Mateschitz Team principal: Franz Tost Technical director: Giorgio Ascanelli Engine: Ferrari 2011 position: 8th Constructors' titles: 0

What is special about Toro Rosso?

Toro Rosso is special for several reasons, starting with the fact that we are one of the smallest, if not the smallest team on the grid.

But I don't like to say we are the underdog, because that suggests we are not capable of beating the others.

Along with Red Bull Racing, we are the only two teams owned by the same company and we were created to give youngsters, who have come up through the lower formulae, as part of the Red Bull Junior Driver programme, a chance to reach the top level of motor racing.

What is the team's status in Formula 1?
Your status is defined by how well you do, how many races and championships you have won. So, at the moment, we are not seen as a top team.

What is the team's image?
The team's image, after four years in the sport, is now a mix of the image it inherited from its parent company Red Bull - which means it is a bit different to the rest, is fiercely competitive, but also likes to have a smile on its face - combined with the image it has developed from the people who work here.

Because a team is about the people, it definitely has an Italian feel to it.

Why should people support Toro Rosso?
Because we are a straightforward and friendly team, because we are a small team fighting bigger ones, because we have a sense of fun.

If your team were an animal what would it be?
We are called Toro Rosso, which is Italian for Red Bull, so what else could we be?

What does a team boss do?
He leads the team.

What is the most difficult thing about being a team boss? Recruiting a team with specialised knowledge, which works well together; finding the money to run such a team and creating visions for the future.

Are you worried about the future of F1?
F1 is not immune to the current recession, so there is cause for concern. But, I feel the sport has reacted well and recent initiatives worked out by the governing body the FIA along with Fota, the team association, should see F1 emerge from this difficult period in better shape than before.