[2] The car was launched in a low key event on a test day at the Circuit de Catalunya on 13 February 2007, and immediately attracted the expected controversy when photos were released.

There was a pre-event fear of the car not being ready but work through the previous night by the mechanics ensured that it was unveiled on time.

This provided a loop-hole for STR around the prohibition of chassis sharing, as both teams were legally using a car developed by an 'independent' third party.

Team Principal Franz Tost commented at the launch that "We are quite optimistic, I think we can make a step forward with the new car and the new engine.

The STR2 was fitted with a new front wing in Monaco, similar to the one that sister team Red Bull implemented in the previous round, with 2 curved upper profiles that improve airflow over the car and increase downforce.

For the first half of the season, the STR2 did not reach the level of competitiveness expected, especially when compared to the 'sister' Red Bull Racing team.

Results did pick up slightly in the second half of the season, as both Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso started to find more reliability with the car.

However, at the 2008 Malaysian Grand Prix both cars failed to score any points; Bourdais spun off in the first lap and Vettel retired with an engine failure.

Fortunes did not improve during the following round in Turkey, where Bourdais span off the track and Vettel finished in 17th, and last, position after suffering a puncture in the opening laps.