Toro Rosso STR12

The Toro Rosso STR12 is a Formula One racing car designed and constructed by Scuderia Toro Rosso to compete during the 2017 Formula One season. The car made its competitive début at the 2017 Australian Grand Prix. It was initially driven by Daniil Kvyat and Carlos Sainz, Jr., however both drivers were replaced by Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley towards the end of the season, after the former was dropped from the Red Bull programme, and the latter began a 2018 contract with Renault four races early.^[2][3]

Toro Rosso STR12

Carlos Sainz Jr. driving the STR12 at the Malaysian Grand Prix
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Toro Rosso
Designer(s)	James Key (Technical Director) Ben Waterhouse (Deputy Technical Director) Paolo Marabini (Head of Structural Design) Mark Tatham (Head of Mechanical Design) Brendan Gilhome (Head of Aerodynamics)
Predecessor	Toro Rosso STR11
Successor	Scuderia Toro Rosso STR13
Technical specifications[1]
Chassis	Carbon-fibre composite survival cell
Suspension (front)	Upper and lower carbon wishbones, pushrod, torsion bar springs, central damper and anti-roll bars. Sachs dampers
Suspension (rear)	Upper and lower carbon wishbones, pullrod, torsion bar springs, central damper and anti-roll bars. Sachs dampers
Length	5,250 mm (207 in)
Width	2,000 mm (79 in)
Height	950 mm (37 in)
Wheelbase	3,500 mm (138 in)
Engine	Renault R.E.17 (rebadged as Toro Rosso), 1.6 L (98 cu in) direct injection V6 turbocharged engine, limited to 15,000 rpm in a mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive layout
Electric motor	Kinetic and thermal energy recovery systems
Transmission	Red Bull Technology Eight-speed + one reverse sequential, longitudinally mounted with hydraulic system for power shift and clutch operation with limited-slip differential
Weight	728 kg (1,605 lb)
Fuel	Esso / Mobil
Lubricants	Mobil 1
Brakes	Brembo carbon discs, calipers and pads
Tyres	Pirelli P Zero (dry) tyres Pirelli Cinturato (wet) tyres
Competition history
Notable entrants	Scuderia Toro Rosso
Notable drivers	10. Pierre Gasly 26. Daniil Kvyat 28/39. Brendon Hartley 55. Carlos Sainz, Jr.
Debut	2017 Australian Grand Prix
Last event	2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Races Wins Podiums Poles F/Laps 20 0 0 0 0

The radical regulation changes meant that the STR12 started on a clean sheet of paper, but it was designed and built by the same people in Faenza and Bicester who produced its predecessor, which was regarded as an excellent package. The STR12 is powered by engines supplied by Renault after the team used 2015-specification Ferrari power units throughout the 2016 season;^[4] however, the engines were rebadged and the engine and chassis package run under the name 'Toro Rosso'.

Season summary

Main article: 2017 Formula One World Championship

Brendon Hartley making his debut for Toro Rosso during the United States Grand Prix

Aiming high in 2017, two driver changes through the year derailed the team's hopes of securing a sixth-place World Constructors' Championship finish. Sainz had a year of ups and downs with the team, finishing in the points position on nine occasions, but retiring on six occasions. He finished an electrifying 4th place at Singapore.^[5] Sainz collected 48 points for the team over his 16 race span at the team. Kvyat had a sub-par year, starting the season off well with a ninth-place finish in Australia. He also scored points in Spain and the United States, but collected only 5 points over the course of 15 races. The Italian team finished the season in 7th place in the Constructors' Standings with 53 championship points.^[6]

Livery

The STR12 sported a new blue livery with a red accents across the side of the car.^[7] This was the final year for Estrella Galicia sponsorship, following Sainz' final year with the team.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year	Entrant	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	Grands Prix																				Points	WCC
					AUS	CHN	BHR	RUS	ESP	MON	CAN	AZE	AUT	GBR	HUN	BEL	ITA	SIN	MAL	JPN	USA	MEX	BRA	ABU
2017	Scuderia Toro Rosso	Renault R.E.17	P
				Pierre Gasly															14	13		13	12	16	53	7th
				Brendon Hartley																	13	Ret	Ret	15
				Daniil Kvyat	9	Ret	12	12	9	14†	Ret	Ret	16	15	11	12	12	Ret			10
				Carlos Sainz, Jr.	8	7	Ret	10	7	6	Ret	8	Ret	Ret	7	10	14	4	Ret	Ret

Notes

• † – Driver failed to finish the race, but was classified as they had completed greater than 90% of the race distance.