Scuderia AlphaTauri have revealed their new AT02 Formula One car this morning, the machine that will power Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda in the 2021 Formula One World Championship.
- AT02 shows off revised colour scheme for the new season.
- Yuki Tsunoda to make F1 debut.
- Team targets improved performance and regular points.
Today marks the second new car launch ahead of the upcoming 2021 Formula One season, as Italian / Austrian outfit AlphaTauri present their new AT02 Honda powered challenger ahead of pre-season testing beginning in early March.
Having enjoyed a successful 2020 thanks to the surprise race victory for Pierre Gasly at Monza, and a record points haul for the team despite a condensed 17-race calendar, the new car is very much a product of the dedication to incrementally improve the car, ahead of the major rule changes set to take place for 2022.
Technical Director, Jody Egginton had the following to say about the new car launched earlier today;
“With the changes to the aero regulations targeting a reduction in downforce, we have been presented with a number of changes we have got to make to the floor, the diffuser and rear brake ducts and this has required a lot of work to re-optimise around these changes.
The work which has been undertaken to develop our car for 2021 goes far beyond compliance with regulation changes and has involved changes to nearly all aero surfaces and also development and repackaging large parts of the car, which are hidden, in order to achieve these changes. We have spent a lot of time working to recover the aero losses as a result of the regulation changes, while also focusing on increasing and improving the cars aerodynamic operating window. This activity will continue into the season, with the split of resource between the 2021 and 2022 projects reviewed and adjusted as required to maximise the potential of both projects.”
The new season will also see a new driving talent in the form of highly rated Japanese youngster, Yuki Tsunoda alongside team leader Pierre Gasly, the 21-year-old stepping up to Formula One in place of the outgoing Daniil Kvyat - with big things expected from Japans most recent major prospect.
"I’m really excited to get started and am particularly looking forward to racing in Suzuka, in front of the Japanese fans. The last time I raced in Suzuka was in Formula 4 – so it will be a big difference – but I’m really excited to now get the opportunity to represent my country in F1. I am also looking forward to visiting many new countries and racing on different tracks. If I had to pick one of the circuits I’m most looking forward to, apart from Japan, it would be Monaco – there is so much history there and it’s a very challenging circuit. The biggest thing for me though, will be lining up on the grid with so many superstars of the sport – it’s an absolute honour to be competing against some of the greatest drivers in the world.”
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