AlphaTauri opts for 'strong evolution' with new AT04

©AlphaTauri

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AlphaTauri says it has taken its lessons from last year's car and opted for a "strong evolution" with its new AT04, with a particular focus on the design's "packaging".

AlphaTauri unveiled on Saturday afternoon in New York its new car's slightly tweaked livery and renderings of its new-spec 2023 contender.

The Italian outfit will roll out its actual new car next Tuesday at Misano for a shakedown run.

Last year's F1 campaign proved disappointing for AlphaTauri, with its first new-generation ground effect car suffering from a lack of downforce that heavily weighed on its performance and led to inconsistent results.

Read also: AlphaTauri unveils tweaked livery for new AT04 charger

Having taken away many lessons from last season's machine, AlphaTauri technical director Jody Egginton and his engineers opted for an aggressive design approach in an attempt to stamp out the weaknesses of the new car's predecessor.

"Nearly every area of the car is a strong evolution from the AT03 with, on the layout side, a strong focus on packaging in order to provide the best basis for aero development," explained Egginton.

"We learned a lot from the AT03 along the course of its development and much of what we learned has gone forward into the general layout of the AT04 to address some of the weaknesses we identified from last year’s car.

"In simple terms, we were lacking a little bit of downforce compared to our main competitors and there was an opportunity for mass reduction."

AlphaTauri's engineers have typically incorporated into their new-spec design elements sourced from sister outfit Red Bull, as the gearbox, hydraulics and rear suspension.

Egginton says the scale of the team's synergy program has remained the same for its AT04.

"The synergy programme continues pretty much on the same basis as previous years," confirmed the Briton.

"It’s very beneficial to us and therefore will continue along the same path.

"We’ve got some parts which are the same specification as last year, some parts which are a revised specification, but the total range of parts that we take from Red Bull is pretty much the same.

"It’s a strategical decision in terms of what we take year on year but overall, it’s pretty much a continuation of where we were last year."

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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.