Cosworth loses Toro Rosso contract
German magazine Auto Motor Und Sport contends that Red Bull Racing has failed to escape from Ferrari's engine contract for next year, meaning that the Italian junior team – jointly owned by Dietrich Mateschitz and Gerhard Berger – is heading for French V8 power.
''The deal is almost completed,'' Berger said.
The German publication added that Ferrari's Jean Todt refused to simply transfer the Ferrari deal from Red Bull, but instead offered to also supply 2.4ltr engines to Toro Rosso.
Whichever Red Bull team is powered by Renault, however, the deal seals speculation that Faenza based Toro Rosso is set to abandon its unpopular policy of using rev-limited Cosworth V10s for next year.
09/06/06 Despite Ferrari yet to decide on their engine supply, Mateschitz revealed Toro Rosso had reached an agreement to part ways with current suppliers Cosworth at the end of the season, a year ahead of the end of their contract.
"This will be finished when the season ends," Mateschitz added. "We found an arrangement with (Cosworth co-owner) Kevin (Kalkhoven) in best mutual agreement."
09/05/06 (GMM) Dietrich Mateschitz has revealed that his second Red Bull team, Toro Rosso, will race into the 2007 season with V8 power plants.
The part Gerhard Berger-owned squad, based at Faenza in Italy, has used a restricted V10 Cosworth engine in 2006; a controversial policy that also leaves Vitantonio Liuzzi and Scott Speed a bit down on grunt.
But billionaire team owner Mateschitz insisted to Swiss magazine 'Motorsport Aktuell' that Toro Rosso must have a 'competitive car with a competitive engine' next year.
''And that means that there will be no more ten cylinder engine,'' the Austrian, 62, clarified.
Mateschitz also made his preference for the identity of Toro Rosso's future supplier clear, although it remains to be seen whether a certain 'Italian' marque agrees to transfer its 2007 contract from Red Bull Racing.
''We have an Italian (based) team,'' he said, ''and in Tonio Liuzzi an Italian driver.
''An Italian engine would fit well.'' This may explain why Cosworth is laying off so many people, having lost the Williams, and Toro Rosso contracts. Without a car manufacturer to badge their F1 engine, they will be lucky to land a contract with Midland. If they don't, the famous Cosworth marque is done in F1.