AlphaTauri banner 2020 'plenty ahead' of '08 success - Tost

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AlphaTauri team boss Franz Tost says the Italian outfit's achievements during its banner 2020 season were "plenty ahead" of the success it enjoyed in 2008 with Sebastian Vettel.

Last year, the Faenza-based squad clinched the second Grand Prix triumph in its 15-year history, courtesy of Pierre Gasly's shock win at the Italian GP at Monza.

Vettel had delivered its maiden win to the junior bull team back in 2008, coincidentally also at Monza. But Tost says that last season's campaign was by far more successful and better overall relative to 2008.

"2008, yes it was a fantastic victory with Sebastian in Monza, but we didn't have so many good finishes like this year," Tost told Autosport.

"It wasn't only the victory in Monza. There were many other good races that we had with the fourth place at Imola, the fifth place in Portimão.

"We were sixth in Bahrain and in Germany, seventh in Austria, Great Britain and Mugello.

"We didn't have only one exciting race. We had a lot of very good race results, and this put us plenty ahead of 2008."

Read also: Gasly hails 'best' season ever - 'fantastic job' by Honda

Regarding its banner 2020, Tost highlighted the collegial force that converged the efforts of all its department as well as Gasly's own development and progress.

"In Faenza, the design team, production, worked really good and are coming together," explained the Austrian.

"We are getting stronger and stronger in every aspect from the processes, but also from the discipline side and also the track operations worked well. People are coming more and want to get up.

"We have two really good drivers as well. Pierre improved a lot. He has reached a real high level now. And therefore, we could be so successful.

"The car, I must say, worked from the very beginning onwards. The aerodynamic upgrades fortunately brought an advantage and put us forwards. These points together came up to a nice clear picture with success."

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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.