AlphaTauri completes shakedown at Misano
Formula One's Faenza based outfit AlphaTauri has completed a successful shakedown of the all-new AT03 at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli with its drivers Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda getting behind the wheel of the team's all-new F1 car.
The shakedown saw duo Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda complete a combined 100km of running with the AT03. Taking to the Italian track, situated less than hour from the team’s Faenza base, both drivers experienced their new 2022 challenger for the very first time in damp conditions. Alongside the new Technical Regulations, that sees a drastic upheaval of the aerodynamics of a Formula 1 car, the drivers also experienced the new 18” tyres.
Commenting on the first day with the new car, Yuki Tsunoda added: “At a filming day the kilometres in the car are very limited but from what I’ve discovered so far, I’m feeling positive about the AT03. Now I want to use the next days of testing to build my confidence in this new car, learn as much as I can and provide the engineers with my best possible feedback, to be ready for the start of the season with the race in Bahrain.”
Pierre Gasly said: “The new car is really different, and I have to say the first feeling driving it was quite good, even if the track was wet and therefore slippery. I really hope this new generation of car will improve the racing, which is what makes it exciting for all of us drivers. This is a brand-new car, with lots still to be discovered. So, we start now in Barcelona, where we will have a lot of work to do to maximize the six days of testing available to us before we get to the first race in Bahrain.”
Jody Egginton, Scuderia AlphaTauri Technical Director commented: “I think it’s fair to say that the technical changes made for this upcoming season are the largest made in Formula 1 for a very long time, so it’s a big difference this year.
"Firstly, it’s good to see the car running and it’s great to see all the hard work come together in that first run, but this is just the first step in a long journey to understanding the car and continuing to develop it. There’s constant optimisation, using what we’ve learnt from previous cars and re-evaluating everything to get the best package possible heading into pre-season testing and then the first race.”
Franz Tost, Scuderia AlphaTauri Team Principal said: “The first impression of the AT03 is very positive. Hopefully the on-track battles will be much closer, for Formula 1 - as for any kind of sport – it’s very important that many competitors are able to win races and I think F1 is going into the right direction with the new regulations and the cost cap. I think we have a promising package but now we have to wait and see how we compare once all cars take to the track at pre-season testing.”
The Italian team now heads to Barcelona for the first of two official F1 pre-season tests.
