AlphaTauri building upon 'best car the team has produced'

AlphaTauri is confident the AT02 has a good baseline for performance following on from the "best car to be produced by the team".

The Italian marque finished seventh in the constructors' championship last year but was regularly in the mix with the midfield, even taking a victory at Monza courtesy of Pierre Gasly.

Technical director Jody Egginton believes last season's car was a testament to the work ethic of the team.

“I really believe the AT01 was the best car to be produced by the team," assessed Egginton.

"The STR14 was not a bad car but the AT01 developed very well through the season and its performance was a credit to the hard work of everybody involved in the project.

"For this season major changes to the car require the use of ‘tokens’ and each team is limited to just two tokens, as such we have elected to carry over the safety cell.

"We believe the chassis and power unit provides a good baseline, so we are happy to have spent our tokens elsewhere for 2021.”

AlphaTauri makes use of various Red Bull components on its cars within the boundaries of the regulations.

Despite the opportunity to bring in updated parts from Red Bull Technologies, the team has declined the option in order to focus on the front of the car.

“The use of Red Bull Technologies supplied gearbox, rear suspension and some front suspension components is now in its third year for us," added Egginton.

"But for 2021 we have elected to continue with the same rear suspension and gearbox design as we used in 2020.

"We’ve elected to use our two tokens for a new nose and also redesigned the outboard front suspension.

"As a result of this, we have elected to update some Red Bull Technologies-supplied steering components to 2020 specification, as permitted by the technical regulations.”

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