AlphaTauri takes the cover off its brand-new AT02

The Faenza-based AlphaTauri outfit has become the second F1 team to unveil its 2021 car, the AT02 that will be piloted by Pierre Gasly and Japenese debutant Yuki Tsunoda.

AlphaTauri is looking forward to its second year with its fresh identity which was presented last year. However, the forthcoming season will bring a change as the team will field a new driver line-up in 2021. Pierre Gasly will be staying on board for his second year following his demotion from Red Bull, but he will be joined by Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda following the departure of Daniil Kvyat.

Team Principal Franz Tost is confident that the team’s driver line-up will work perfectly in the new season.

“The decision to go for Pierre and Yuki in 2021 was taken because Scuderia AlphaTauri’s philosophy is still to give talented young drivers from the Red Bull Junior Program the opportunity to step up to F1 and to educate them – this is why Yuki now gets his chance.

„With Pierre on Yuki’s side 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 think this pair is the best possible scenario to achieve both our targets, and I’m also confident this will be a successful one.”

Gasly is due to begin his fifth season at the pinnacle of motorsport after making his debut with the Scuderia Toro Rosso outfit in 2017.

“I’m ready to take on the role of team leader. Yuki is a very quick driver, and he will help us move the team forward – we will work together to achieve that,” said Gasly, the team’s all-time top points scorer. “I really believe last year was the team’s best in terms of the way it worked, the development, the performance and the way it managed the race weekends. I’m always hungry for more, and I’m sure we can achieve great things in 2021.”

Yuki Tsunoda, who was honoured with the Anthoine Hubert Award for best Formula 2 rookie in 2020, added, “I’ve been lucky enough to spend some time with Scuderia AlphaTauri ahead of the season, so I’m already developing strong relationships and learning a lot from them – including Pierre, who is an incredible talent. My main goal is to learn quickly and deliver results as soon as possible, and I’m really excited to get started.”

Although the Formula 1 season kicks off at the Bahrain pre-season testing that will take place on 12 – 14 March, the Faenza-based outfit is expected to carry out a filming day with its new AT02 car next week at Imola.