AlphaTauri is strengthening its partnership with Red Bull, as evidenced by the plan to relocate its aerodynamic facility to Milton Keynes. For the foreseeable future, a tightening of this inter-team relationship can be expected.
The final third of 2023 was a warning to teams in the midfield. Ignoring Red Bull’s dominance with Max Verstappen, there was another key development from the Austrian outfit.
After introducing a relatively uncompetitive car to start the season, AlphaTauri’s results were deemed unacceptable. This prompted Red Bull to take a more proactive role in their second team.
Up until last season, the Faenza-based outfit was given relatively free reign to develop independently.
This was effective in seasons like 2020 and 2021, where they fought for regular points and occasional podiums. However, the AT04 brought an end to the previously reasonable packages produced by the Italian outfit.
Confronto sospensione posteriore della AlphaTauri AT04 (prima e dopo Singapore GP)
A series of changes took place last season, with the Singapore GP being the first on-track consequence. As seen in COTA, Mexico, Brazil and Abu Dhabi, AlphaTauri were significantly more competitive late in the season.
They even introduced a floor upgrade in the final round, where they tested a new floor to collect data for 2024.
In addition to this, AlphaTauri’s England-based aerodynamics department is being moved from Bicester to Milton Keynes.
Speaking to motorsport.com, CEO Peter Bayer explained the strategic thinking behind this move:
“The advantage of obviously being closer to Red Bull Racing and their campus is that it will be easier for us when it’s about wind tunnel work, about simulator work.
“So that will make life easier for all the engineers.”
Liam Lawson (NZL) AlphaTauri AT04.
01.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 15, Italian Grand Prix, Monza, Italy, Practice Day.
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Considering these teams will be collaborating more closely, this relocation seems a fairly logical step.
It also seems likely to safeguard AlphaTauri’s competitiveness for the next two seasons. Until the regulations change in 2026, they will benefit from their partnership with the strongest F1 team.
The biggest concern for Red Bull and its second team will be objections from rivals. McLaren CEO Zak Brown has been the most vocal critic of the team in recent weeks.
However, it seems logical that hostility will only increase if AlphaTauri are competitive in 2024.
Author: Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
