Toro Rosso counts Caterham among 2012 rivals

Toro Rosso counts Caterham - the 2010 start-up team that has failed to score a single point since inception - among its close rivals for 2012.

Last season, the Red Bull-owned rookie team Toro Rosso finished the championship in eighth place with 41 points, well clear of Williams and behind Sauber and Force India.

"Our direct competitors are Sauber, Force India and Caterham," the Faenza based team’s boss Franz Tost is quoted by autohebdo.fr.

Formerly Lotus, the Tony Fernandes-led Caterham team has been the best of the new 2010 teams including Marussia (nee Virgin) and HRT.

"Caterham has managed to build a good infrastructure," Tost is quoted as saying.

"They have the Renault engine and a KERS from Red Bull and it means their package is good.

"Our goal is to take seventh place in the championship — we must do better than last year," added Tost.