By Karl King
March 9 2006

We all knew when the V8 engine rule was announced for 2006 that of course the 8 cylinder engine was going to be down on horsepower by quite some margin from V10's. When Minardi were granted permission to use restricted V10 engines, no-one was worried about them. After all, they were Minardi.

Everything, of course, has now changed and Red Bull have brought the team as Scuderia Toro Rosso, and have retained the right to use the restricted Cosworth V10 for their team, rather than source a V8 supply.

The rule allows cash-strapped teams to use restricted V10's.

But, being owned by Red Bull has given STR a huge cash injection compared to the old Minardi team, and now Mercedes-Benz motorsport boss Norbert Haug predicts they could even be fighting for a podium in Bahrain with drivers Vitantonio Liuzzi and rookie Scott Speed.

Of course, they still have more horsepower than the Merc powering Juan Pablo and Kimi this weekend and Haug has said this is a threat.

"They were strong in testing here and they can go for a podium here, I am convinced."

Haug has told reporters in Bahrain that he is not going to make a deal of the fact that Toro Rosso may have an unfair aid, but if asked if they have an advantage he will have to say 'yes'.