Franz Tost expects young guns to stay on if Red Bull seal F1 future
Friday 13 November 2015 20:52, UK
Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz will stay as Toro Rosso's drivers in 2016 if the team remain on the grid, Franz Tost has all-but confirmed.
With the threat of Red Bull pulling their two teams out of F1 receding following confirmation from Christian Horner that the senior squad had submitted an entry for 2016, the futures of the four talented drivers on their books is looking increasingly secure.
Verstappen and Sainz have made big impressions during their rookie years at Toro Rosso, Red Bull's designated junior team, and have put the outfit in with a chance of matching their best-ever championship placing of sixth over the season's final two races.
And provided Red Bull finalise their engine plans for 2016, team boss Tost is expecting the line-up to remain in place for a second year.
"If the team is on the starting grid then I consider both of them will be the drivers of Toro Rosso," the Austrian said during Friday's team principals' press conference.
"So far they have done a very good job and, of course, we want to keep them."
Toro Rosso usually give their young drivers two seasons to demonstrate their F1 potential, although such has been the impact that 18-year-old Verstappen in particular has made this year that it has been suggested the Dutchman could even replace Daniil Kvyat at the senior team.
Horner, however, indicated in Mexico that Kvyat will remain alongside Daniel Ricciardo in 2016.
Although Toro Rosso's F1 fate has always been tied to that of the main Red Bull team, the Faenza squad has had a clearer engine solution in place for several weeks with a deal for a year-old specification of Ferrari's engines thought to be on the table.
Tost stressed that Toro Rosso's future "is not decided yet" but, with a smile, added: "I'm convinced and optimistic this will be the case."
Watch the Brazilian GP live on Sky Sports F1. Race-show coverage begins at 2.30pm on Sunday with lights out at 4pm. Watch the Brazilian GP for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.
