Toro Rosso would accept 2015 Ferrari engine deal

Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost says his team would accept a deal to run 2015 Ferrari engines next year, but knows its future still rests on Red Bull sorting itself out.

Franz Tost, Scuderia Toro Rosso, Team Principal

Dietrich Mateschitz, CEO and Founder of Red Bull at the Legends Parade

Max Verstappen, Scuderia Toro Rosso STR10 leads team mate Carlos Sainz Jr., Scuderia Toro Rosso STR10

Max Verstappen, Scuderia Toro Rosso STR10

The Faenza-based outfit is in discussions with Ferrari about an engine deal for next year and says it would not object if it can only get current specification power units.

“Toro Rosso would accept the 2015 engine, as we think it would be a step forward for us,” Tost told the official F1 website.

“But yes, Toro Rosso is in a different situation than Red Bull Racing. Their DNA is to fight for wins and championships and therefore they want the same material Ferrari will run in 2016.”

Both teams together

While Toro Rosso's situation seems better than Red Bull, its fate still rests on what happens with its sister team.

At the moment Red Bull is without a deal, but efforts are going on behind the scenes to try to see if there is a way that it can continue with Renault if Ferrari formally rule out a tie-up.

Tost has made it clear that even if Toro Rosso could find a deal, it would still be pulled out of F1 if Red Bull is left without engines.

“If Dietrich Mateschitz decides to stop F1 because of various reasons then the lights go out in both facilities,” he said.

Tost also pointed out that the final call did not rest on Ferrari agreeing a Red Bull deal.

“No, that is not so,” he said. “Ferrari is not the final decision maker - that is Mr Mateschitz. So we have to wait to see what he will come up with.”