STR targets Hungary for new diffuser

Technical director Giorgio Ascanelli, who has been the target of approaches from rival teams including Ferrari in recent weeks, has skipped the past two races so he can stay at the factory and work on the developments.

With the team now the only one on the grid without a double-decker diffuser, Toro Rosso is well aware that bringing the design onto its car is an urgency as it bids to haul itself further up the field.

Team principal Franz Tost told AUTOSPORT: "We are the only team currently not running a double diffuser yet, and Giorgio has missed the last two races working hard to prepare the car for a double diffuser.

"It is not just a simple bolt on. You have to change the rear suspension and the cooling, hydraulics and things like that. Also, we've been waiting for Red Bull Racing to finalise what it thinks is the definitive design, as we are not in a position to try several different ones."

When asked when he expected the diffuser to be ready, Tost said: "I am loathe to give you a definite answer to that, but Hungary is a target to have the double diffuser.

"We will make the best of what we have got for the next two races and we should have some minor updates coming for them. The Turkey weekend has at least been useful in that we have learned a lot of lessons about how to set the car up."