New Toro Rosso debuts

Scuderia Toro Rosso will roll out its definitive 2008 F1 challenger on the streets of Monte Carlo this weekend, where the team will deputize its Adrian Newey Red Bull derivative STR-03 chassis.

While many would consider this a very poor choice of venues for unveiling a teams new chassis, as the Principality is lined with kilometers of Armco intertwined with multiple kilos of concrete, Toro Rosso’s technical director Giorgio Ascanelli claims that he is both mad and simply brave in this endeavor, as the team is already struggling with the older STR-02B chassis.

Ascanelli predicts that the new STR-03 should be approximately 0.3-0.5 seconds a lap quicker then the STR-02B, of which production of parts has ceased and thus the team must get on with running the new car and building up its very low inventory of new parts. Recall that the new chassis was originally scheduled for debut at Istanbul prior to the “Hamburgular” (S. Bourdais) crashing heavily in testing…

Testing Trouble

While you may think that the Formula 1 circus is enjoying a well deserved break after three “fly-away” races, the rest was short lived, as the majority of teams have been busy participating in this weeks test session at Barcelona, while preparing for the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix.

And interestingly, teams have been busy running Bridgestone’s 2009 spec slick rubber… As apparently the FIA may be heading for a return of non-grooved racing tyres next year?

Thus, Scuderia Toro Rosso, which has been running an updated “B” spec of its STR-02 chassis to date, brought its new 2008 model to Barcelona, entrusting Sebastian Bourdais to give the STR-03 its baptism under fire… with the team planning to debut the chassis at the Turkish GP.

Unfortunately after completing 71 laps, the Hamburgular apparently hit a patch “o slippery liquids or stumbled upon a patch of secret sauce… As Sea Bass heavily crashed the new STR-03, which could delay the launch of the new car until Monaco, which isn’t an overly friendly environment for debuting new chassis as the Principality is lined with an overabundance of Armco…

Toro Rosso inks Burdais

The news of Scuderia Toro Rosso’s impending announcement of three time Champ Car Champion Sebastian Bourdais has been one of the worst kept secrets in motor racing this year.

So it was NO Surprise when Toro Rosso finally announced the Hamburgular’s signing to partner Sebastian Vettel at STR for 2008 last week. Now all Sea Bass has to do is steal his fourth consecutive Vanderbuilt Cup before jetting off to Europe.

I wonder if “Bad Bobby D,” Neal Jani” or any of the plethora of Formula 1 talent in Champ Car will have any words of encouragement for him? Nah…

And I wonder if Scott Speed will be giving him a going outta business deal on his Condo in Austria…

Vettel confirmed at Toro Rosso

Also while in Indy, I missed the news of America’s only Formula 1 pilot Scott Speed being given his walking papers.

In a not so unexpected move, since Robin Miller broke the story for SPEED TV recently. Scuderia Toro Rosso has indeed dumped Speed in favour of German hot-schue Sebastian Vettel. Who’s been under contract to Red Bull since joining BMW Sauber as its test and reserve driver.

Vettel became the youngest driver to ever score a Grand Prix point upon his F1 debut at this year’s USGP, while standing in for the sidelined Robert Kubica. Vettel will take over Speed’s race seat beginning this weekend in Hungary for the remainder of the year. Toro Rosso has also confirmed Vettel for 2008 and most likely will be partnered by the Hamburgular… With STR possibly becoming the Sebastian & Sebastian show. Expect an announcement shortly.

Speed speaks out

While I’ve been asked about whether or not Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa got into any fisticuffs in parc ferme upon Alonso’s bump ‘N run in the European Grand Prix. It appears that the real wrestle mania was occurring in the Scuderia Toro Rosso garage.

Although STR’s Franz “French Toast” Tost (Mmmm, Sprinkles… Otay so it must be breakfast time, eh?) has tried to overtly play down any alleged coming to blows with American Scott Speed in the German media. Speed has now gone public with SPEED TV’s Adam Cooper. To which I’ve provided the following link to: Speed says Tost out of control.

Also in the same article Robin Miller has reported that Speed will be dropped shortly from Toro Rosso. Hey I thought Miller was busy Up North, eh? Covering the scintillating Champ Car race…

Speed running out of time?

Apparently frictions between top Scuderia Toro Rosso management and its current race drivers are picking up steam. As it appears more and more likely that the lone American F1 pilot Scott Speed is most likely on his way out of the team. While Vitantonio Luzzi has somewhat better chances of retaining his seat for 2008.
Reportedly Speed and STR’s Franz “Toast” got into a physical altercation a la “Sand Dune” Tracy upon Scott’s return to the pit lane after going off into the gravel during the rain deluge at the Nurburgring. Can you say the Hamburgular, Scott? But hey, perhaps this will help Speed secure a ride alongside the Wiley PT next year

Bourdais tests Toro Rosso

Sebastian Bourdais has just completed testing for Scuderia Toro Rosso during last weeks Paul Ricard Formula 1 test. And this test along with a further evaluation at Spa Francorchamps later this season will most likely see the Hamburgular signing a contract to drive for Toro Rosso in 2008.

Of course the arrival of “Sea Bass” would require the departure of one of STR’s current drivers, with rumour suggesting Scott Speed is “On the Bubble.” Yet David Coulthard’s contract expires this year, so could Vitantonnio Luzzi be moved to Red Bull in order to make room for Bourdais?

Bourdais and Toro Rosso?

.With the Hamburgular threatening to once again steal the Vanderbuilt Cup for a fourth successive year in a row, speculation suggest that Sebastian Bourdais could all ready have a deal in his back pocket with Scuderia Toro Rosso for 2008.

And if the 28 year old Frenchman is true to his words, then he’ll pack his bags and move abroad next year to chase his dreams of being a Formula 1 pilot.

Its worth noting that Sea Bass’s manager is Nicolas Todt, son of Ferrari head honcho Jean Todt. And since Toro Rosso is currently a Ferrari engine customer, it’s not too far of a stretch to imagine this occurring, although I think it would be wiser for Renault to install Bourdais as David Coulthard’s replacement.

Then again if the Hamburgular departs, he won’t be able to get all of those free Big Macs anymore. While Champ Car will be left with another gaping hole to fill in it’s never ending driver roulette…

Toro Rosso’s new Technical Director

Scuderia Toro Rosso has just announced Giorgio Ascanelli as its new Technical Director. Ascanelli moves from Maserati and was previously Gerhard Berger’s race engineer at Ferrari…

Toro Rosso FINALLY Announces Speed

After months of Gerhard Berger’s never ending shenanigans of who would become
Scuderia Toro Rosso’s two racing drivers for the upcoming season. Toro Rosso has finally announced that American Scott Speed will retain his race drive in 2007. This means that the Formula 1 grid is now complete. Look for Speed to crack into some points scoring drives this season...

Scuderia Toro Rosso STR-02

"Will the REAL Toro Rosso Stand Up!"

In keeping with its mystery thriller suspense theme, Scuderia Toro Rosso took a decidedly low key approach to unveiling the much ballyhooed STR-2 yesterday in Barcelona. Well sort-of, since there were NO answers to any of the media’s pressing issues…

Although the wraps were taken off Toro Rosso’s new Red Bull “Light” along with Vitantonio Liuzzi being confirmed as one of the team’s two race drivers, Luzzi was unable to partake in any shakedown laps as the track went into a Red flag period just prior to the days final moments of testing. Therefore Luzzi was unable to get onto track.

Meanwhile Gerhard Berger was busy telling anyone who’d listen for the one millionth time that the STR-2 was completely “Legal.” And along with the spat over Toro Rosso’s 2007 challenger, American Scott Speed was noticeably absent with Berger saying that there’s contractual issues needing to be hammered out in order to “ink” Speed to a second season…

This obviously has to do with Speed wishing to sign the best deal possible while Sebastian Bourdais waits in the wings to jump to Toro Rosso in 2008…

To read aboutSpyker F1’s 2007 Launch, see: Spyker F8VII

Doornbos to buy into Toro Rosso?

As previously mentioned, Scuderia Toro Rosso partner Gerhard Berger is under pressure to come up with funding for the team and Berger would prefer to use somebody else’s money to do so…

Dutchman Robert Doornbos appears to have the inside track to a seat with Toro Rosso in 2007. Doornbos did a good job as Red Bull Racings third driver before replacing Christian Klein in the later stages of 2006 and also reportedly has $5-10 million in sponsorship backing…

This appears to be potentially bad news for Scott Speed. Although Speed did a good job last season, he lacks the funding necessary to keep his seat…

Berger’s Motivational Techniques

Although Scuderia Toro Rosso gave reigning Champ Car Champion Sebastian Bourdais a test last week, Bourdais has publicly admitted that he’s committed to Newman/Haas Racing for 2007, with a possible eye towards a 2008 F1 drive…
Nevertheless Gerhard Berger who’s under pressure to bring money to the table as part owner of Toro Rosso invited the Frenchman to test as a way to drum up attention to the often overlooked Red Bull “B” team which has not confirmed either of its current drivers for next season. Berger also revealed that the team has talked with three F1 drivers who have bagloads of cash, yet just don’t have a race seat for 2007. Can you say Robert Doornbos…?
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Doornbos partner American Scott Speed next season. If Spyker was smart they’d hire Vitantonio Luzzi as Christijan Albers teammate…

Bourdais gets F1 Test

Sebastian Bordais, the reigning Champ Car World Series Champion has been clambering for a Formula 1 test since coming to the United States. The ex-International F3000 Champion has since gone on to win three consecutive Champ Car titles while not being able to interest any F1 team bosses into giving him a try out. Even Mario Andretti who called Sir Frank Williams was unable to entice Williams into offering the Frenchman a test…
Now Scuderia Toro rosso will give Bourdais his first taste of F1 when “Sea Bass” tests for them at Jerez this week during Toro rosso’s 3 day program in Spain. Once again while Champ Car and the IRL refuse to merge it’ll be interesting to see how two of their brightest stars fair in similar equipment. Of course Marco Andretti will have the upper hand since the Honda is vastly superior vs. Toro Rosso’s machinery. Although both drivers will be making their F1 debuts, both are expected to continue with their current teams for 2007…

Scuderia Toro Rosso’s Makeover

Gerhard Berger, co-owner of Scuderia Toro Rosso has proposed the building of a brand new facility for the ex-Minardi Formula 1 team that Berger shares with Red Bull’s Dietrich Mateschitz…

Speed Bumps

Apparently there are rumours making the rounds that American Formula 1 driver Scott Speed may be in jeopardy of loosing his seat at Scuderia Toro Rosso next season?