Toro Rosso to use 2015-spec Ferrari engines next season

Toro Rosso have confirmed that Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz will race with Ferrari power in 2016 after agreeing a deal with the Italian manufacturer to use current-specification power units.

Faenza-based Toro Rosso, who ran Ferrari engines between 2007 and 2013 before switching to Renault, will use the very last specification of engine that the Scuderia used in 2015.

"It's great to be working with Ferrari again,” said Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost. “We had a fruitful relationship in the past and I'm sure it won't take long for us all to be working together very well again.

“It's true that time will be very tight for us to be ready for the first test, but we have the right team of people for this and I'm confident that together we will achieve a competitive package for next year - bring on 2016!"

Toro Rosso, who thanked Renault for their efforts over the last two years, said that the switch back to Ferrari power made sense from both a practical and performance standpoint.

“Logistically, with our engine supplier just a short drive up the Autostrada and even linguistically, the return to Ferrari will make for an easy working relationship,” said the team.

“Taking this into account, and considering the past achievements with our friends from Maranello, we can certainly expect an improvement in our performance next year. We can also count on Carlos and Max who, after being confirmed for the 2016 season, will be able to translate all this year's learnings and experience into additional valuable feedback throughout the season."

Toro Rosso finished seventh in this year’s constructors’ standings with 67 points.