Tost wants AlphaTauri to fight for spot among top 5!

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Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda, formerly known as Scuderia Toro Rosso, has pulled the covers off its new Honda-powered 'AT01', the car that will be entrusted once again this season to Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kvyat.

The sister bull squad launched its 2020 season Friday evening with an energizing F1/fashion show presentation at Red Bull's stunning Hanger-7 located at Salzburg Airport.

AlphaTauri is the premium fashion brand founded in 2016 by Red Bull as an extension of the energy drink company. And with the new name comes an entirely new livery, the AT01 sporting an elegant and very stylish white and dark blue scheme.

The car is scheduled to be shaken down by Kvyat on Saturday at Misano.

Launch Gallery: Scuderia AlphaTauri's AT01

AlphaTauri Team boss Franz Tost said the new colors certainly reflect an outside change but not a fundamental inside transformation.

"The name change has no effect on the way we operate as a Formula 1 team at the race track or our facilities in Faenza and Bicester, but it is a very significant change in terms of how we present ourselves to the outside world: new name and new colours (white and navy blue), to mark a new long-term partnership which will be beneficial for both parties."

As for the season ahead and the team's expectations, Tost is determined to lead his troops, Gasly and Kvyat to the next level.

"We must be within the first five of the constructors’ championship," said a determined Tost decisively. eI’m really convinced that AlphaTauri will have a successful season.

"Why? Because first of all, the car showed very good results in the wind tunnel. Second, Honda, our friends in Japan, Sakura, made big progress during the winter months from the performance side as well as the reliability side.

"Third, we have two good drivers. They showed that already last year. We just missed the middle of the podium, so [to the drivers] that means that you know what you have to do!"

The 2020 F1 campaign won't be without its challenges for AlphaTauri however.

"2020 will be a special challenge for all the teams, as we have to develop two car concepts because of the new regulations for 2021," the Austrian explained.

"For smaller teams like ours, in terms of resources and personnel, we will have to face the complex task of finding the right balance between pushing forward on the development of this year’s car – the AT01 – and working on its successor for 2021, a year which heralds a new era for Formula 1 as it will undergo radical changes, not least in terms of the technical regulations that apply to the design of the cars.

"This does not have to distract us from our big task to look into every detail at every race to avoid mistakes as much as possible and take any opportunity that may arise in such a tight midfield pack."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.