AlphaTauri posted the first images of its new Formula 1 car, the AT02, online on Friday.
The Red Bull Junior team, which was renamed after the drinks manufacturer’s fashion label last year, has released photos and renderings of the car following a photo shoot with drivers Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda at the AlphaTauri showroom in Salzburg, Austria.
An updated paint scheme for 2021 has been installed on the Alpha Tauri. AlphaTauri
The AT02 has a new blue and white paint scheme that has been changed from last year’s design.
Although the car looks the same as last year’s AT01 and uses the same chassis, technical director Jody Egginton said that all the aerodynamic surfaces have been modified as the team adapts to the new downforce reduction rules in Formula 1 for 2021.
A top view of the AlphaTauri AT02 shows the redesigned floor at the rear of the vehicle. AlphaTauri
According to Egginton, changes to the aerodynamic rules to reduce lean force required a number of changes to the floor, diffuser and rear brake lines, which required a lot of work to optimize these changes.
The work done to develop our car for 2021 goes far beyond complying with the rule changes and includes modifications to virtually all aerodynamic surfaces, as well as designing and redesigning large parts of the car that are hidden to achieve these changes.
The AlphaTauri will be powered by a Honda factory engine one last time before the Japanese company leaves F1 and sells its technology to Red Bull. AlphaTauri
We spent a lot of time compensating for aerodynamic losses due to modification changes and focused on increasing and improving the car’s aerodynamic operating window. This activity will continue throughout the season, with the allocation of funds to the 2021-2022 projects being reviewed and adjusted as necessary to maximize the potential of both projects.
AlphaTauri finished seventh in the Constructors’ Championship last year, but team boss Franz Tost believes they can improve that position by correcting their mistakes.
New AplhaTauri AT02. AlphaTauri
Scuderia AlphaTauri was a midfield team in 2020, we have successfully competed against other teams such as McLaren, Renault and Racing Point, but our goal for this year is to constantly be at the top of this midfield team and keep improving, said Mr Toast. To achieve this, we need to avoid reliability problems and finish all races in the points.
AlphaTauri unveiled its new AT02 vehicle at its headquarters in Salzburg, Austria. AlphaTauri
We can only do that if we don’t make mistakes. That’s why we have to concentrate 100% on our work, race after race, on and off the track, because it’s hard to keep up with our rivals.
Japanese rookie Tsunoda replaces Daniil Kvyat on the team this year, as does his partner Gasly, who scored a surprise victory for the team at last year’s Italian Grand Prix.
The choice of Pierre and Yuki in 2021 was made because the Scuderia AlphaTauri’s philosophy so far has been to give the talented young drivers in the Red Bull Junior programme a chance to progress into Formula One and train them – which is why Yuki is now getting his chance, Toast added.
With Pierre next to Yuki we have an experienced driver who can help our Japanese rookie to develop faster, but at the same time we can aim for good results. I believe that this twinning is the best scenario for achieving our two objectives and I am also convinced that it will be successful.
AlphaTauri pilots Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda with the new AT02. AlphaTauri
As he embarks on his first season in Formula One, Tsunoda said I was lucky enough to spend some time at Scuderia AlphaTauri before the season. So I’m already building a strong bond and learning a lot from them – including Pierre, who has incredible talent. My main goal is to learn quickly and get results as soon as possible, and I’m very excited to get started.
Ghazli, who first drove for the team at the end of the 2017 season when it was still called Toro Rosso, added: I’m ready to take on the role of team leader. Yuki is a very fast rider and he will help us to move the team forward – we will work together to achieve this goal.
I really think last year was the best year for the team in terms of operation, development, performance and race weekend management. I’m always interested in learning more, and I’m confident that we can achieve great things in 2021.
AlphaTauri is the second team to unveil its new car, after McLaren held an online presentation of the new MCL35M earlier this week.
The three days of pre-season testing began on the 12th. March in Bahrain, before the race on the 28th. Running on the same route begins.
