AlphaTauri are optimistic ahead of the 2024 season, with the recent updates to the AT04 generating performance. As the team works more closely with Red Bull, it should be increasingly well-equipped for next year.
The Italian outfit began this season in mediocre fashion, struggling to secure points. Over the winter break, AlphaTauri decided to pursue their own design independent of Red Bull.
After the first few rounds, it was clear the AT04 wasn’t very competitive. A car barely capable of points is insufficient for a Red Bull team looking to evaluate their young drivers.
A series of changes are being implemented at Faenza to rectify this. AlphaTauri have started collaborating more closely with their parent outfit, which is already generating results.
Singapore was the first venue where the team introduced its first significant updates. These new parts featured Red Bull’s suspension, which improved the car almost immediately.
This weekend in Yas Marina, more updates were implemented. Although they could only be used for one race weekend, AlphaTauri’s latest changes are a foundation for 2024.
An updated floor was the most impactful change, which will help the team transition into Red Bull’s concept next season.
In their post-race analysis, they outlined their confidence heading into the winter:
“With Yuki in P1 for a few laps, today marked only the second time in history that a Japanese driver has led a Formula 1 race, and only the sixth time Franz has seen one of his cars lead a Grand Prix, which is a nice way to say goodbye.
“The new floor worked quite well, which is a good indication for next year’s car. So we end the season with the fifth to sixth quickest car.”
Although making predictions for next year is a very difficult task, AlphaTauri certainly has reasons to be optimistic.
They will be hoping to rediscover their relative speed from 2021, which saw them compete as a regular force in the midfield.
