Boost for Toro Rosso as highly-rated technical director extends stay; Key has been linked with moves to Ferrari and Williams
Monday 28 August 2017 08:26, UK
Highly-rated technical director James Key has extended his contract with Toro Rosso, the team have confirmed.
Key has enjoyed five years with the Red Bull junior team and has been lauded for his aerodynamic work on the improving cars, from the STR8 right through to this season's STR12.
He has also nurtured young talents such as Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz while he has been linked with a move to Ferrari in the past, and more recently with Williams.
But Toro Rosso have announced that he has agreed a new deal to remain with the team currently sixth in the 2017 Constructors' Championship.
"I am delighted to continue with Toro Rosso and remain part of the Red Bull family," Key said. "This is a team which I have great respect for and have thoroughly enjoyed working with for the past five years; now I look forwards to continuing our project into the future.
"STR is unique, facing the challenges of being spread over two countries and fulfilling the roles of both a team in its own right and an important part of the Red Bull driver programme: they are challenges that the team takes in its stride and, whilst doing so, continues to grow and improve year on year.
"We have more work to do, and I look forwards to taking the next steps with Toro Rosso towards our goals"
Long-serving Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost also reserved praise for Key, who previously had Formula 1 spells at Jordan and Sauber before moving to the Faenza-based outfit.
"Formula 1 is a team sport, but one in which an individual can still make a difference," Tost added. "So far, in his time with us, James has proved that he can indeed make that difference, leading the technical side of the operation.
"Not only has he been adept at producing chassis-aero packages that are well regarded throughout the paddock, he has also shown the management skills necessary to get the most out of all the various departments that work together both here in Faenza and in Bicester.
"I am therefore delighted that James will be with us for the foreseeable future to continue this fruitful process."
