Toro Rosso and Red Bull could been pulling their resources closer together from 2018 once the two teams get a stronger grasp on F1's new regulations.
Both outfits will be sharing Renault power next season, which could entail more common ground with regard to their respective car's rear end.
Toro Rosso technical director James Key insisted there were still too many unknowns linked to next year's regulations for a partnership exploitation to fully work between the two entities, but an alignment would be initiated for 2018.
"There are several areas nowadays where it's acceptable to run the same part or for one team to design a bit and allow the other team to use it and so on, predominantly on power unit-related topics, but it also stretches to gearbox and suspension as well," Key explained in an interview on his team's website.
"That's all good. It means we can pool our resources a bit more and have better synergies in those areas and certainly, both teams are looking to see what opportunities there are.
"The problem with new regulations of course is you've got nothing to discuss because you've got to go through the whole design process. In 2017 therefore, there will not be that many opportunities for synergies.
"In the second year of these regs, once you've got bits that work within that set of regulations, then it opens up many more, so 2018 will be a better opportunity. Having said that, having the same engine helps. It draws together a huge amount of commonality in certain areas on the power train side."
INTERVIEW: Stoffel Vandoorne: The long wait is over
TECHNICAL: Under the skin of the Force India VJM09
FEATURE: Nico Rosberg in numbers
Mercedes: The candidates to replace Rosberg
From the cockpit: Felipe Nasr on his second set in F1
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
