Tost about Max and Carlos: “Strongest part of our team”

Published on 27 December 2015 by Niels Hendrix

Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost says Formula 1 rookies Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz were "the strongest part" of his team in 2015. 

“The performance from both drivers was surprisingly good”, Tost told Autosport. “Both drivers have done a really good job because they are new in Formula 1. With a more reliable car I think both would have surprised a bit more and have scored more points. I must say that the drivers have been the strongest part of the team this year. From pure speed, both drivers are quite similar.”

Tost picked out Verstappen's overtaking ability as something that impressed him the most over the year. “Knowing how far behind from the power-side we were this season, his overtaking moves that he showed, especially in Austin and Sao Paulo, were really impressive.” 

“What impressed me most was that there was no action where you thought he did not have it under control. There was no locking fronts, no touching wheels with others in an unfair way. What also was impressive is he pulled back when he saw it didn't work. This control and the possibility to estimate whether you can start the pass or not is really good.”