Angry Toro Rosso hits back at Renault

Toro Rosso has issued a statement in response to Renault's allegations that the engine problems they have suffered in the 2017 season are of their own making.

Drivers Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley have both suffered grid penalties for the Brazil Grand Prix this weekend, and there are also rumours that, due to parts issues, Toro Rosso's participation in the Abu Dhabi GP on November 26 could be in doubt.

• Toro Rosso's Abu Dhabi GP participation in doubt

Renault Managing Director Cyril Abiteboul went as far as to tell Motorsport.com: "

“We are not happy with that situation, and we take it very seriously.

“Toro Rosso has suffered in the last couple of events much more issues than other teams, and obviously when it’s happening, because of the regulations, and because of parts availability and production lead time, that’s causing issues.”

“We do have a little bit of a concern about the way that our engine is operated in the Toro Rosso car, which may explain why we have had so many issues coming from Toro Rosso specifically.

“There are never coincidences in this sport.”

But Toro Rosso have responded emphatically to Abiteboul's claims, issuing a statement ahead of FP3 on Saturday.

The statement reads:

“It comes as a big surprise to the team that Cyril Abiteboul has suggested to the media that the problems Toro Rosso suffers with the power unit are primarily team related, and the way in which the power unit is operated in the STR12 chassis.

“We would like to clarify that all the MGU-H and Shaft failures Toro Rosso has recently suffered are not associated with how the team is operating or with how the PU is integrated in the chassis.

“Nothing has been changed or altered in this installation during the 2017 season, other than cooling improvements mid-season.

“Since the summer break Toro Rosso has suffered continuous power unit related failures, and the resulting grid penalties has cost the team points and relative positions in the Constructors’ championship. One of the primary reasons for the issues we are seeing is the lack of new power unit parts available.

“In Toro Rosso’s case the team is constantly having to change parts from one PU to another during the weekend and, on many occasions, is forced to run old specification assemblies.

“The last race in Mexico saw only two cars out of six finish the race, highlighting the poor reliability.

“We mustn’t forget that they are fighting with Toro Rosso for a better position in the Constructors’ championship, as suggested by Mr Abiteboul the situation may not be a coincidence, but it is certainly not due to STR’s car.”