Sebastian Vettel has essentially admitted that Toro Rosso is looking forward to getting its hands on sister team Red Bull’s 2008 car later this season.
The customer car issue is a controversial one in formula one, with the Faenza based team, as well as beleaguered Honda satellite Super Aguri, already being challenged legally by Force India over the legality of sourcing their cars from active competitors.
But to the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, STR driver Vettel declared that it is good to know that “Coulthard and Webber are happy” with the recently launched RB4.
“That is also a good sign for us,” he added, having recently declared that Toro Rosso’s new car will be “similar” to the new Red Bull.
Toro Rosso intends to start the 2008 season with last year’s car, and has pencilled in May’s Turkish grand prix as the debut date for the STR3.
But even with the 2007 single seater, renamed the STR2B for this year’s regulations, team co-owner Gerhard Berger thinks the outfit is in good shape.
“We have had a very good preparation for the season,” said the former grand prix winner.
“The car is reliable and at the moment our lap times are on the seventh rank,” Berger added, estimating that Toro Rosso is ahead of Toyota, Honda, Force India and Super Aguri.
