As expected, the Italian single-seater is evolving smoothly compared to 2020.
As for the rest of the paddock, the 2021 season will be a year of transition for AlphaTauri, while waiting for the real technical revolution in 2022. It is therefore no surprise that we are discovering a 2021 single-seater very similar to that of last year.
The most striking for this AT02 remains the new livery: it was mostly white last year, but dark blue is now gaining a much more important place. That’s good, because, from the front, it was easy to confuse it with the Williams and Alfa Romeo. The lower body is now white, including the rims. We notice on the other hand very few sponsors : At first glance, only the logos of AlphaTauri (the clothing brand of Red Bull), and Honda are visible. The presence of the latter on the bodywork is increasing compared to 2020: it is probably linked to the arrival of the Japanese pilot Yuki Tsunoda, whose the quarry is supported by Honda.
From a technical point of view, the main change concerns the deflectors, between the front wheels and the pontoons. These parts play a very important role, by drawing turbulent air out of the front wheels of the rear of the car, and preparing a very clean flow to feed the diffuser and the rear spoiler. With the forced simplification of the front fins in recent years, they have become the main source of innovation teams.
The carbon shell remains the same, regulations require
These deflectors are therefore more advanced than in 2020, and are similar to those developed by teams like McLaren. It is however a safe bet that those present on the car presented are quickly replaced before the first winter tests, March 12-14 in Bahrain.
The general appearance of the car does not change much, the teams cannot change the carbon shell between 2020 and 2021. We also always find a wide nose, Ferrari style. It is at the rear that the regulations evolve the most, with a narrower flat bottom and whose cutout is very strictly framed. It seems slightly pierced here: it will probably be different when the AT02 enters the track.
In 2020, AlphaTauri finished 7th in the championship, behind the peloton therefore, but far ahead of the laggards like Haas, Alfa Romeo and Williams, thanks in particular to the incredible victory of Pierre Gasly at Monza, the second in history. of the stable, formerly Toro Rosso and Minardi.
Read also :