AlphaTauri AT03 set for shakedown run on Tuesday

AlphaTauri will roll out its new AT03 as soon as Tuesday, likely at Imola where the new car will undergo a shakedown run in the hands of Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda.

The Faenza-based squad, which unveiled renderings of its car on Monday, will therefore become the second outfit after Aston Martin to put its 2022 car on track.

The session falls withing Formula 1's "filming days" regulations that entitle teams to a limited 100 kms of running on Pirelli control tyres.

• Read also: AlphaTauri unveils 2022 AT03 and new livery

"From an engineering perspective it’s the first time the car runs on track, so it’s important to take systems checks, look at the basic various systems and software on the car, check it’s working, bug-checking," commented AlphaTauri technical director Jody Egginton who led his department's design efforts.

"Just the basics to know that everything is doing what it’s meant to do.

"It’s basic data collecting and it’s all very useful ahead of the main test where we start to focus on more complex topics and longer running and performance."

And the main test alluded to by Egginton will begin next week on February 23 at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona where all teams will put their new cars through their initial paces during three days.

F1's presentations will continue this week with Williams on Tuesday, Ferrari on Thursday and Mercedes on Friday morning at Silverstone.

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