Changes in the organizational chart of Toro Rosso

Once again, the structure of the single-seater developed by Toro Rosso will radically change this season in order to integrate the new engine, now supplied by Honda.

But the technical organization chart of the team will also evolve because Red Bull’s leaders are not satisfied to see that the small Faenza team has once again finished seventh in 2017, despite an increased budget.

The main victim thus appears to be Brendon Gilhome, the head of aerodynamics. He had held this position since 2013. He joined the British offices of the Italian team from Mercedes to join technical director, James Key, whom he had worked with during his time at Sauber between 2005 and 2010. He is expected to be replaced by his deputy, Ben Mallock.

The change order concerns race organization as it involves a well-known figure, Marco Matassa, who has left Faenza. He was successively the race engineer for Daniel Ricciardo, Daniil Kvyat, and finally Carlos Sainz. Although he was once mentioned as a possible replacement for Dave Greenwood, Kimi Räikkönen’s race engineer who is leaving for the WEC, it seems he is indeed joining Ferrari but to take care of their young driver program.

These changes come in addition to a duo of drivers with very little F1 experience, as Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley have only nine F1 starts between them.

With the participation of www.racingbusiness.fr