Toro Rosso still open to re-branding of engine

[February 27, 2017]    BARCELONA (Reuters) - Red Bull-owned Toro Rosso are still open to re-branding their Renault engines this season if they can find a suitable partner, said team principal Franz Tost.

Team Principal of Toro Rosso Franz Tost during practice Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Crispin Thruston

Sister team and former world champions Red Bull Racing also use power units supplied by Renault but carrying the name of watch brand Tag Heuer rather than the French carmaker.

Toro Rosso, who have switched from Ferrari power and finished seventh overall last year, revealed their new STR12 car at the Circuit de Catalunya on Sunday.

"There are still negotiations going on," Tost told Reuters when asked about the engine situation.

"We are free to do this (change the name) and once we have found a partner which wants to do a deal, then we are more than open to negotiate this.

"It can happen during the season as well."

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Peter Rutherford)

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