The Toro Rosso STR7[4] (initially referred to as the Toro Rosso TR7)[5] is a Formula One racing car designed by Scuderia Toro Rosso for use in the 2012 FIA Formula One World Championship. It was the seventh car run by the team, and the third car that they had developed since the introduction of rules in 2010 prohibiting teams from using a "customer chassis", or a design that had previously been used by another team. The car was driven by Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Éric Vergne, after the team elected not to renew the contracts of former drivers Sébastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari,[3] and was launched on 7 February 2012 at the first winter test of the season at Jerez de la Frontera.[5]
 Daniel Ricciardo in his STR7 during the 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix | |||||||||||
| Category | Formula One | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Toro Rosso | ||||||||||
| Designer(s) | Giorgio Ascanelli (Technical Director) Luca Furbatto (Chief Designer) Nicolò Petrucci (Head of Aerodynamics) | ||||||||||
| Predecessor | Toro Rosso STR6 | ||||||||||
| Successor | Toro Rosso STR8 | ||||||||||
| Technical specifications[1] | |||||||||||
| Engine | Ferrari Type 056 (2011-spec) 2,398 cc (146 cu in) 90° V8, limited to 18,000 RPM with KERS naturally aspirated mid-mounted | ||||||||||
| Weight | 640 kg (1,411 lb) (including driver) | ||||||||||
| Fuel | Shell V-Power[note 1] | ||||||||||
| Lubricants | Shell Helix[note 1] | ||||||||||
| Tyres | Pirelli P Zero (dry), Cinturato (wet)[2] Advanti Wheels (front and rear): 13" | ||||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||||
| Notable entrants | Scuderia Toro Rosso | ||||||||||
| Notable drivers | 16.  Daniel Ricciardo[3]17.  Jean-Éric Vergne[3] | ||||||||||
| Debut | 2012 Australian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| Last event | 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
Season review
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The car proved promising in the first 2 races as Ricciardo and Vergne scored points each in those races. However, afterward, the car struggled for competitiveness as both drivers finished outside the points-scoring positions. Upgrades were fitted onto their cars when they headed for the Belgian GP. Since then, both drivers consistently scored points and the car showed improvements. They eventually finished the season in 9th place with 26 points with the best result of 8th place on 4 occasions where Vergne achieved all the points he had managed to get while finishing in that position.
Livery
editThe livery remained unchanged apart from the distinctive charging bull; futhermore, the team gained new sponsors for the season including Nova Chemicals and Cepsa.
Complete Formula One results
edit(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Engine | Tyres | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | Points | WCC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Scuderia Toro Rosso | Ferrari Type 056 | P | AUS | MAL | CHN | BHR | ESP | MON | CAN | EUR | GBR | GER | HUN | BEL | ITA | SIN | JPN | KOR | IND | ABU | USA | BRA | 26 | 9th | |
| Daniel Ricciardo
|
9 | 12 | 17 | 15 | 13 | Ret | 14 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 13 | ||||||
| Jean-Éric Vergne
|
11 | 8 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 15 | Ret | 14 | 14 | 16 | 8 | Ret | Ret | 13 | 8 | 15 | 12 | Ret | 8 |
References
edit- ^ a b "Toro Rosso confirms deals with Cepsa, Nova". motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. 6 September 2011. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
- ^ Noble, Jonathan (25 January 2012). "Pirelli tweaks tyre markings for 2012 F1 season". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
- ^ a b c "Ricciardo earns Toro Rosso ride". The Australian. News Limited. Agence France-Presse. 15 December 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
- ^ "Toro Rosso technical director Giorgio Ascanelli – Tech talk". Red Bull. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
- ^ a b "2012 Toro Rosso to appear at first test". Formula1.com. Formula One Management. 20 January 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
Notes
edit- ^ a b Despite CEPSA is an oil and gas company as a major sponsor of Scuderia Toro Rosso since mid-2011 season, the CEPSA branding appears on the STR7, but the car uses Shell V-Power fuels and Shell Helix lubricants.[1]
External links
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