It was initially driven by Daniil Kvyat and Carlos Sainz, Jr., however both drivers were replaced by Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley towards the end of the season, after the former was dropped from the Red Bull programme, and the latter began a 2018 contract with Renault four races early.

[2][3] The radical regulation changes meant that the STR12 started on a clean sheet of paper, but it was designed and built by the same people in Faenza and Bicester who produced its predecessor, which was regarded as an excellent package.

Aiming high in 2017, two driver changes through the year derailed the team's hopes of securing a sixth-place World Constructors' Championship finish.

Kvyat had a sub-par year, starting the season off well with a ninth-place finish in Australia.

The Italian team finished the season in 7th place in the Constructors' Standings with 53 championship points.