Red Bull's delay in announcing its engine plans for next term had a knock-on effect on Toro Rosso solidifying its own project. However, earlier this month Red Bull confirmed it would use Renault engines badged as TAG Heuer, which opened the way for Toro Rosso to confirm it would use 2015-spec Ferrari units.

The delay has severely hampered Toro Rosso's plans for 2016, forcing team boss Franz Tost to introduce a three-shift constant working pattern at its factory.

"We re-planned the manufacturing processes and decided to go for a three-shift, across seven days, 24 hours to be ready for the first test," said Tost. "From Toro Rosso's side, we can organize everything in the best possible way.

"Our main problem is other suppliers and their Christmas holidays. Most of them are closed for a minimum 10 days and this will make it tough for us." We've never had to enforce a 24-hour a day shift pattern for this long before.

"In February – the last days before you finish the car – you sometimes have those days but it's maybe normal for only one or two days. But we will have this system in place now for December, January and half of February so two and a half months. We have brought in a high number of contractors just for this short period to do this."

Pre-season F1 testing starts on Feb. 22 at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.