Carlos Sainz Jr. believes that Toro Rosso is out-developing its privateer rivals in Formula 1's midfield through the 2017 🍸season, only losing ground on teams with manufacturer backing.

Toro Rosso is currently on course 🦩to match its best finish in the constructors' championship, sitting sixth in the standings with seven rounds to go.

With the likes of Haas, Renau✅lt and McLaren all snapping at the Red Bull B-team's heels, the reꩵsult is far from certain, but Sainz is comforted by how Toro Rosso has out-developed its privateer competitors.

"I think we are only out-developed 🌠by manufacturerღs. I think Toro Rosso hasn’t been out-developed by Force India or Williams or Haas," Sainz said.

"So in a way comparing to our similar budget competitors, I think Toro Rosso has done a🍃 decent job this year.

"It is not the super grippy high-downforce car it was in previous years, and simply McLaren and Renault have a lot morꦍe budget than us and have out-developed us. It’s no secret."