The STR7 was the third car completely designed, manufactured and assembled in Faenza by the Toro Rosso team. It competed in the 2012 Formula 1 World Championship. The single-seater, which featured the classic blue livery with the large bull dominating the engine cover, was entrusted to a new pair of drivers: Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne and Australian Daniel Ricciardo.

The technical sheet

The Toro Rosso STR7 had a composite monocoque, carbon wishbones, with a torsion bar and an anti-roll bar. The designers worked hard on aerodynamic optimisation, interpreting the regulation changes for the 2012 season.

The nose was completely new: the lower and the upper part were joined by a step, to comply with the new rules. With a view to maximising the aerodynamic performance of the car, the focus was on the miniaturisation of the radiators, and the air intakes on the sides.

The gearbox was also smaller and housed a seven-speed plus reverse hydraulic transmission. The Toro Rosso STR7 was powered by the Ferrari 056 engine, a 2398 cc V8.

STR7 results

Driving for Toro Rosso in the 2012 Formula 1 World Championship were Vergne and Ricciardo. The championship got off to a good start, with Daniel immediately scoring points in his home race in Melbourne. The car proved to be consistent and reliable, completing most of the races on the calendar.

On eight occasions, at least one of the two STR7s managed to score points. Twice – in Belgium and Korea – both Toro Rosso STR7s finished in the top ten.

At the end of the season, the team was ninth in the constructors’ championship.