AlphaTauri reveals launch date for 2021 contender

Scuderia AlphaTauri is the latest team to reveal the launch date of its 2021 charger, with the Honda-powered AT02 machine set to be unveiled on February 19.

The Faenza-based squad which won last year's Italian Grand Prix at Monza with Pierre Gasly - its second F1 victory - is currently second in line in the presentation order after McLaren, which will pull the cover off its car in February 15, and before Alfa Romeo on February 22 and championship winning team Mercedes on March 2.

While Gasly will once again defend AlphaTauri's colours, the Frenchman will have a new teammate on his side, with Honda protégé Yuki Tsunoda replacing Daniil Kvyat.

Read also: Tsunoda 'not afraid to make mistakes' in rookie F1 season

The highly-rated 20-year-old has already put significant mileage under his belt this year with his new team as gets up to speed with F1, running with a 2019-spec car last week at Imola and earlier this week at Misano.

As a reminder, F1 will kick off its three days of pre-season testing on March 12 in Bahrain.

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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.