Toro Rosso to keep faith with young guns

Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost is to keep faith with young drivers Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari for next season.

Tost sees no reason to change his pairing despite several drivers waiting in the wings as part of Red Bull’s Young Driver Development programme.

Buemi, 21, and Alguersuari, 20, who have competed in just 27 and 18 grands prix respectively, are the youngest and one of the most inexperienced line-ups in Formula One.

Tost, however, believes his team will eventually benefit as they become more accustomed to life at the top end of motor sport.

“Our drivers still lack F1 experience compared to the majority of their colleagues,” said Tost.

“Therefore, as they get more track time with every race, I expect to see an improvement in the final half of the season.

“It is not just a case of their driving getting better, because it is also true their understanding and engineering feedback improves, which is vital if we are to get the most out of our package.

“So I believe our drivers will be well prepared for 2011, which is why they are both confirmed for next year.

“It is also logical because one key role of Scuderia Toro Rosso is to bring on young drivers from the Red Bull Young Driver programme.

“At the ages of 21 and 20 respectively, both Seb and Jaime certainly still meet the right criteria.”

Tost, though, is far from happy with his team after 10 of this season’s 19 grands prix as Buemi and Alguersuari have collected just 10 points between them.

Asked what area of the team’s performance most needed improving, Tost replied: “The short answer is every area.

“Unless all aspects of a team’s performance are operating properly, the results will not come.

“I expect a combination of car updates and improved performance from the drivers and indeed the whole team to bring us more points in what remains of the season.”