Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost believes that five teams have emerged as contenders for fourth place in the Constructors’ championship this season.
Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull have emerged as the clear top three so far in 2017, leaving a gaggle of closely-matched teams to scrap for fourth in the standings.
Force India currently occupies fourth, a point ahead of Williams, with Tost’s Toro Rosso squad four points further back, while Haas and Renault have also taken top 10 finishes this year.
“The midfield is very, very tight and all teams in that segment are super competitive: Williams, Force India, Toro Rosso, Haas and Renault,” Tost explained to the official F1 website.
“These five teams will fight it out for P4 in the Constructors’ championship. So at best you will end up fourth – and in the worst-case scenario, P8.
On the situation regarding power unit supplier Renault, Tost commented: “Renault has built a complete new engine for this season – and the pace is very good.
“Of course with all new things you might have some teething issues. I am optimistic that Renault will to a large extent already close the gap this season and I am very optimistic for next year.
“Now what is needed is time to eliminate any teething problems – and mileage."
Tost also defended the actions of Carlos Sainz Jr., who heads to this weekend's Russian Grand Prix with a three-place grid penalty after colliding with Lance Stroll in Bahrain.
"If you don’t risk anything you don’t get anywhere, so I support drivers who take risks," he said.
"I hardly criticise a driver if he risks something and it doesn’t work out."
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