Toro Rosso Debuts STR8 a Day Before Testing Begins

Toro RossoToro RossoItaly, 2006 > present10 models
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is carrying over its drivers from last year, but a new designer has brought a new take to the STR8. 

The 2013 car is the first designed by Toro Rosso's new chief designer Luca Furbatto. Furbatto was responsible for developing the STR7Toro Rosso STR7Italy, 2012 > 20129 photos
last year but did not design the car. The major change for the new car is an improvement to the weight distribution, which Furbatto says was a problem with the STR7 from the start.

The rear of the STR7 was essentially carried over from the STR6Toro Rosso STR6Italy, 2011 > 201114 photos
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. Furbatto redesigned the rear to be slimmer and more compact. The STR8 has a new gearbox design, hydraulics and rear suspension. The entire setup is meant to be more aerodynamic. The rear suspension layout, kinematics and internals are all brand new as well  to allow a wider array of setup options. 

The team believes that it developed the STR7's side pod design as far as it could during the season. It created a completely new design for the STR8. The new design moves the radiators lower and have a lower sidepod height.

The team says that developments to the car are not finished. It is developing new rear bodywork and a new exhaust layout that it will add to the car later. 

During the test sessions before the season begins, Toro Rosso wants to work to improve its pit stop times.