Toro Rosso plans to homologate its 2016 chassis later this week, according to a source close to the Faenza based team.

That is despite the fact the team's schedule for the new season was thrown into chaos late last year amid the so-called 'Red Bull engine crisis'.

While the senior team has been left with 'Tag-Heuer'-branded Renault power for 2015, Toro Rosso has secured a switch to 2015-specification Ferrari units.

Some suggested the late change would mean Toro Rosso will be late to finish its 2016 car.

Boss Franz Tost, however, added 100 temporary staff and a third shift to Toro Rosso's 380-strong workforce for the winter, admitting: "Yes, I would like more time, but our technical department has many experienced staff who optimise the time that we have.

"Also, the tests begin later this year than they did in 2015. So I am optimistic."

He told the Swiss newspaper Blick that he is therefore happy to no longer be working with Renault, admitting: "Now with Ferrari we have a sure element in the car again."

Tost lamented the poor reliability of the Renault engine last year, declaring: "It cost us many points, even if the team and the drivers must also take some of the bad results on our cap."

A source close to Toro Rosso said the Ferrari-powered STR11 will undergo official FIA crashing testing late this week.

(GMM)