Toro Rosso STR2

Vitantonio Liuzzi 2007 Britain 2

Toro Rosso STR2 2007 London

Sebastien Bourdais 2008 Valencia test

Vitantonio Liuzzi 2007 Brazil free practice

Sebastian Vettel 2008 Malaysia

Toro Rosso STR2 was a Formula One racing car designed and built by the Scuderia Toro Rosso team for the 2007 Formula One season. It was the second car constructed by the team since its formation, following the STR1 used in 2006. The STR2 was driven by Vitantonio Liuzzi and Scott Speed, with Sebastian Vettel replacing Speed from the Hungarian Grand Prix onwards. The car was notable for its use of a chassis that was closely based on the previous year's Red Bull Racing RB3, a practice allowed at the time due to Toro Rosso and Red Bull Racing's shared ownership.

Design and Development

The STR2 was designed under the leadership of Adrian Newey, the chief technical officer for Red Bull Technology, and was a result of the collaboration between Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso. This collaboration allowed Toro Rosso to benefit from the technological advancements and resources of Red Bull Racing. The car was powered by a Ferrari 056 engine, a departure from the Cosworth engines used in the STR1. Its design incorporated a high nose and tightly packaged rear end, characteristics of Newey's design philosophy, aimed at maximizing aerodynamic efficiency.

Racing History

The STR2's competitive debut came at the 2007 Australian Grand Prix. Throughout the season, the car showed flashes of potential but was often hampered by reliability issues and a lack of overall pace compared to the front-running teams. Liuzzi and Speed struggled to consistently score points, but the arrival of Vettel brought a change in fortunes. Vettel scored his and the team's first points finish with an impressive drive to 4th place at the 2007 Chinese Grand Prix, highlighting the car's potential in wet conditions.

Legacy

The STR2 is remembered for being the car in which Sebastian Vettel made his mark in Formula One. Vettel's performances in the latter part of the 2007 season showcased his talent and were a key factor in his promotion to Red Bull Racing for the following year. The STR2 also represented the last time a Toro Rosso car would use a chassis based so closely on that of its sister team, as regulations introduced in 2009 prohibited such practices.

Technical Specifications

Chassis

Carbon-fibre monocoque

Engine

Ferrari 056, 2.4 L V8, naturally aspirated, mid-mounted

Transmission

Toro Rosso 7-speed + reverse semi-automatic

Fuel

Shell

Tyres

Bridgestone

Conclusion

The Toro Rosso STR2 played a significant role in the 2007 Formula One season, not just for Scuderia Toro Rosso but also in the career development of Sebastian Vettel. Despite its challenges, the STR2's legacy is enhanced by its contribution to showcasing the talent of one of Formula One's future champions.