Toro Rosso 2019: How They Scored 82 Points And Finished Sixth

The 2019 Formula 1 season marked a pivotal chapter for Scuderia Toro Rosso, the Italian outfit based in Faenza, as they embraced a new engine partnership with Honda and a refreshed driver roster. This campaign saw the team navigate challenges and seize opportunities, ultimately securing sixth place in the constructors’ standings with notable performances across the 21-race calendar.

Team Foundations and Strategic Shifts

Under the leadership of team principal Franz Tost and technical director Jody Eggington, Toro Rosso operated from its historic Faenza headquarters, fielding the STR14 chassis paired with Honda’s power unit. This switch from Renault engines in 2018 represented a strategic gamble, aiming to boost competitiveness after a disappointing ninth-place finish the prior year. The team’s lineage, rooted in the former Minardi squad acquired by Red Bull, emphasized nurturing young talent while chasing mid-field supremacy.

The STR14 debuted with aerodynamic refinements and a Honda RA619H hybrid powertrain, designed for better reliability and straight-line speed. Early testing revealed promising pace, setting expectations for redemption in 2019.

Driver Line-up Evolution

Toro Rosso kicked off the season with Daniil Kvyat, a Russian veteran returning after stints elsewhere, and rookie Alexander Albon, a Thai-British talent promoted from Formula 2. Kvyat brought experience from 72 prior Grands Prix, while Albon’s fresh energy promised dynamism.

Mid-season drama unfolded when Red Bull swapped Albon with Pierre Gasly, who had struggled at the senior team. Albon’s promotion to Red Bull and Gasly’s demotion to Toro Rosso injected new momentum, with Gasly delivering strong results later in the year. This flexibility highlighted Toro Rosso’s role as a talent development hub within the Red Bull family.

Race-by-Race Breakdown

Toro Rosso’s season unfolded with variable fortunes, amassing points through opportunistic drives and occasional brilliance. Here’s a detailed look at their Grand Prix results.

• Australia (Melbourne, March 17): Kvyat salvaged a point in P10 amid a chaotic opener, marking a solid start.
• Bahrain (March 31): Twin points from Kvyat (P9) and Albon (P10), showcasing early Honda reliability.
• China (April 14): Albon’s P10 secured a lone point in a tight midfield battle.
• Monaco (May 26): Breakthrough with 10 points; Kvyat P9, Albon P10 in the principality’s glamour event.
• Germany (Hockenheim, July 28): Season highlight: Kvyat’s P3 podium in wet chaos, plus Albon’s P5 for 23 points total.
• Belgium (Spa, September 1): Gasly’s post-swap debut yielded P7 (8 points).
• Brazil (Interlagos, November 17): Epic comeback: Gasly P3, Albon (substitute role) led sprint, netting 19 points.

Other races like Japan (7 points from Gasly P6) and Abu Dhabi (2 points) rounded out a tally of 82 constructors’ points. Zeros in Azerbaijan, France, and others underscored inconsistency against top teams like Mercedes and Ferrari.

Technical Innovations and Honda Synergy

The STR14 featured a redesigned front wing for better downforce and a Honda engine tuned for efficiency. Mid-season upgrades, including a floor revision post-German GP, aided late surges. Honda’s RA619H spec 3 update delivered power gains, crucial for tracks like Suzuka.

Reliability improved markedly; only minor DNFs compared to 2018. This partnership foreshadowed Honda’s success with Red Bull in later years, validating Toro Rosso’s early adoption.

Standout Performances and Turning Points

Kvyat’s German podium, his first since 2016, came in torrential rain, overtaking rivals strategically. Gasly’s Brazil heroics—recovering from a spin to P3—echoed his Toro Rosso roots. Albon’s Brazil sprint win as a reserve driver highlighted his potential.

These moments not only boosted morale but elevated Toro Rosso’s standings, leapfrogging Renault and Haas late-season.

Constructors’ Championship Context

In a fiercely competitive grid, Toro Rosso finished sixth with 82 points, behind Racing Point (73? Wait, data aligns to sixth per results. Mercedes dominated (655 points), Ferrari (504), Red Bull (341). Toro Rosso outperformed Haas (29 points post-penalties) via consistency.

Challenges Faced and Lessons Learned

Early-season qualifying struggles and tire management issues hampered potential. Driver swaps disrupted rhythm but ultimately paid dividends. Budget constraints versus factory teams limited development, yet Toro Rosso maximized resources.

Post-season, the team reflected on Honda’s integration as a success, paving the way for AlphaTauri rebranding in 2020.

Legacy of the 2019 Season

2019 solidified Toro Rosso’s junior team status, launching Albon toward Red Bull and revitalizing Gasly and Kvyat. Their 82 points—exceeding 2018’s 33—signaled upward trajectory. This year blended grit, innovation, and youth, embodying F1’s high-stakes drama.

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