Sainz not expecting Toro Rosso to beat Red Bull

Carlos Sainz insists he is not running away with the "dangerous" idea that Toro Rosso could be better than Red Bull Racing in 2016.

When the music of the recent ’Red Bull engine crisis’ stopped, the senior team was left with its underpowered Renault units while Toro Rosso secured a supply of 2015-specification Ferraris.

It has led some to believe that the junior team could actually beat Red Bull this year — particularly as the 2015 Toro Rosso chassis was arguably one of the best cars on the grid.

"I don’t think we have a better car than Red Bull. It would be a dangerous trap for us to believe that," said Sainz on Tuesday as he met with Spanish media.

Nonetheless, he is confident.

"The data coming from Faenza is good and we should take a step forward," said Sainz.

"From the aerodynamic point of view there is not much room, but the Ferrari engine is more powerful.

"We will see in Australia where we are."

As for beating Red Bull, however, Sainz explained: "We have to remember that our budget is lower and the drivers are younger. You cannot expect us to be in front of them.

"If we are top eight or top 12, we will have to see," said Sainz, who is scheduled to debut the new Ferrari-powered STR11 in Barcelona on February 22.