Toro Rosso is moving to receive up-to-date engines from Ferrari in 2017.
This year, after the collapse of the semi-works relationship between team owner Red Bull and Renault, Toro Rosso moved to 2015-spec Ferrari power. That means that the Faenza team, while having one of the best cars on the grid, is being held back by an out-of-date power unit that is not being developed.
Despite that, Toro Rosso continues to shine, including on Thursday in Monaco, where Carlos Sainz told Spanish reporters: "It's a little surprising to be ahead of teams like Ferrari and McLaren here but it's only Thursday."
Keen to keep progressing in 2017, Toro Rosso's technical chief James Key admitted that the team wants to ramp up its relationship with Ferrari next year.
"As far as what we have for next year, I think we're happy," Key said in Monaco. "Not that there's anything wrong with our current supply but it's not developing, it's a year-old unit.
"Ferrari are doing a great job to support us with it. but it would be nice to be current and have a developing unit."
