Carlos Sainz Jr – AUSmotive.com

The creche of Forumla 1, otherwise known as Toro Rosso, has taken the covers of the STR10. Ten, of course, being the combined age of rookie drivers Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr.

Actually, this car looks pretty damn good. Indeed most of the cars from the class of 2015 look the goods, under the terrible paint jobs at least.

Franz Tost, Team Principal, is keen for a big year and has set the pass mark for his pupils at fifth place in the constructors’championship.

Last year STR finished seventh in the constructors’ race. Its best finish was sixth in 2008 when some punk called Vettel was racing for them and notched up the team’s single race win.

Fresh from his 2014 Formula Renault 3.5 championship and a day of testing with Red Bull in Abu Dhabi this week Carlos Sainz Jr has landed himself a drive with Toro Rosso in 2015.

Amazingly the 20-year-old will be the elder statesman at Toro Rosso next year, joining 17-year-old Max Verstappen. In a pleasing quirk, both ~~men~~ boys are sons of famous motorsport fathers. Carlos, the son of dual World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz and Max, the son of Formula 1 journeyman Jos Verstappen.

“I am really happy to have landed the drive with Scuderia Toro Rosso,” Sainz Jr said. “Ever since I have been part of Red Bull’s Young Driver Programme, this has been my aim and I want to thank Red Bull for putting their faith in me.

“I have had a very successful season in World Series by Renault this year and now I am looking forward to taking the step up to Formula 1. I tested for a day with Toro Rosso last year and I liked the atmosphere in the team.

“In the next few months I will be working hard on my preparation, ready to get in the cockpit in Jerez for the first test of next year. It will be nice to make my ‘official’ debut as a Formula 1 driver in my home country!”

Earlier this week Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso driver in 2013 and 2014, confirmed via twitter that he would not be continuing with the team next year.

[Pics: Toro Rosso/Getty Images]