F1: Tost says Toro Rosso has helped rookies impress

Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost feels rookie duo Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr. would not have impressed so much this Formula 1 season but for his squad's car.

Tost stressed that he was taking nothing way from the duo's efforts, but felt it ought to be recognized that without one of the leading chassis beneath them in the STR10 it may have been a different story.

"I am more than happy with both of the drivers, they are doing a really good job," Tost told AUTOSPORT. "Both of them have shown fantastic performance and they have shown us we were justified to bring them into the team. I don't think with an experienced driver we would have had too many more points.

"Max has so far done great and fought really well with the other drivers, such as with [Pastor] Maldonado in Austria. And we must not forget those drivers have an advantage of 70, 80 horsepower, or maybe more, so therefore you can say we are more than pleased and satisfied with his performance.

"Carlos last year won the [Formula] Renault 3.5 [Series] with seven victories, which showed his skills and performance. He also did a test at Silverstone two years ago when he showed fantastic pace, so it's not a big surprise for me he is also doing such a good job.

"The most important thing is both drivers are committed and motivated, there is a very positive energy. But we also have a very good car, a very good chassis, close to the top. The technical team around James Key has done a really good job. Yes, both drivers are skilled, but they are still young, inexperienced, and if the car was not working so well and be easy to drive it would be much difficult for them."

Although Toro Rosso has 34 points on the board and the team is on course for its haul since the scoring system was revised in 2010, Tost (with Sainz, RIGHT) feels more could have been achieved. Of obvious concern has been the failings of the Renault power unit during the first half of the season, both in terms of reliability and horsepower deficit compared to its rivals.

"The team itself has made a step forward," Tost added. "But we are currently suffering with top speed, while our biggest problem has been reliability. I hope for the second half of the season things will improve.

"We have not had a problem on the team side so far this season. Unfortunately, the non-finishes have been related to the power unit. This is what I mean when I say the team has made a step forward. We are still not where I want to see the team, but we are making progress."

Originally on Autosport.com