Sainz has looked set for a decent haul of points at Silverstone on a weekend when its STR10 chassis had again shone.

But his hopes were dashed when his car ground to a halt with an electrical problem. The retirement left his car in a position that brought out the virtual safety car.

With Max Verstappen having spun out, Sainz's retirement meant that Toro Rosso failed to get one of its cars to the finish for the first time since the Bahrain Grand Prix – and it prompted a post-race investigation.

Its analysis back at the factory has now been concluded, with the team discovering that the issue was not down to anything engine supplier Renault had done.

Instead, it related to any area of the car that was under the team's control – although the outfit has declined to elaborate on specific details.

Toro Rosso is currently eighth in the constructors' championship standings, two points behind Sauber.

An appreciative tweet from Renault Sport chief Cyril Abiteboul has followed our story...