The 2022 Formula 1 season has presented unique challenges for every team on the grid, and for Scuderia AlphaTauri, the journey has been a rollercoaster of fluctuating fortunes. As the paddock descends upon Le Castellet for the French Grand Prix, the Faenza-based squad is pinning significant hopes on a major upgrade package designed to revitalize their performance. Yuki Tsunoda, one of the team’s promising drivers, has openly expressed his optimism, stating that these crucial enhancements should directly address the AT02 car’s long-standing Achilles’ heel: its weakness in high-speed corners.
Historically, the AlphaTauri AT02 has demonstrated a discernible lack of competitiveness on circuits that demand strong aerodynamic efficiency and stability through medium and high-speed turns. Tracks akin to the French Grand Prix venue, Paul Ricard, with their challenging sequences of sweeping bends, have often exposed these inherent vulnerabilities. This aerodynamic deficit has made it particularly arduous for the team to consistently challenge for points in the fiercely contested midfield battle.
Tsunoda elaborated on the specific demands of the Paul Ricard circuit, highlighting why it serves as an ideal testing ground for the new components. “It’s a track where you need a set-up that works exceptionally well in mid-speed corners,” Tsunoda explained. “It can be quite tricky because you have the high-speed straight leading into the iconic Signes corner, which requires immense confidence and aerodynamic stability, but also a complex array of low and medium-speed turns at the end of sectors one and three. Normally, these characteristics would significantly highlight some of the weaker points in our car. However, with the substantial updates we are bringing to France, we are hopeful that these deficiencies will no longer be as prominent.”
The imperative for improved performance is acutely felt by Tsunoda, whose season has, at times, struggled to gain consistent momentum. He has managed to start within the top 10 on only two occasions so far this year, a statistic he is eager to rectify. “It’s genuinely time we return to consistently getting into Q3,” he asserted. “Achieving a strong qualifying position is paramount as it makes it considerably easier to score valuable points on Sunday, setting us up for a more competitive race strategy.”
The decision by AlphaTauri to introduce a singular, comprehensive upgrade package, rather than a series of minor, incremental improvements, underscores the severity of the issues they aim to resolve and the ambition driving their development. “We’ve opted for a major upgrade rather than numerous small ones, signifying a targeted approach to our performance woes,” Tsunoda confirmed. “The core focus of this new package is to add substantially more aerodynamic load to the car, specifically targeting our relative weakness in the medium to high-speed cornering phases. This strategic adjustment is expected to translate into better overall stability and grip when the car is pushed to its limits through fast sections.”
The young Japanese driver articulated his aspirations for the immediate future: “Hopefully, these changes will bring us more consistency across different track types and allow us to fight effectively at the sharp end of the midfield once again. The competition is incredibly tight, and even small gains can make a significant difference in terms of track position and championship points.”
Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free
Tsunoda’s recent run of form has seen him finish outside the points in the last five consecutive races, culminating in a challenging 16th place finish in Austria. That particular weekend was further complicated by a team instruction during Saturday’s sprint race to allow his more experienced team mate, Pierre Gasly, to pass him. This moment highlighted the strategic complexities and internal dynamics within a Formula 1 team battling for every advantage.
Reflecting on the Austrian Grand Prix, Tsunoda acknowledged the difficulties encountered. “Austria was undoubtedly one of the most difficult race weekends of the season so far for us, and the sprint format probably exacerbated the challenges,” he admitted. “While I understand it’s the same format for everyone, it inevitably meant we had very limited time for crucial long-run work prior to the main Sunday race. Our qualifying performance level was acceptable, but we simply lacked the necessary pace in the sprint race, which compromised our starting position for Sunday.”
Despite the overall struggle, Tsunoda found some positives to draw from the Austrian weekend, particularly regarding his personal performance and approach. “On the positive side, I was quite satisfied with my focused approach to the race and with my concentration level throughout. I managed to avoid any track limits mistakes, which has been an area of focus for me. In that regard, it was a good step forward for my personal development and consistency.”
Team mate Pierre Gasly shares Tsunoda’s eagerness and conviction regarding the impending upgrade package. As a seasoned points scorer and the de facto team leader, Gasly’s input and feedback are invaluable to AlphaTauri’s development trajectory. “I’m genuinely hoping things will take a significant turn for the better with the updates we will have on the car this weekend,” Gasly stated, echoing the team’s collective anticipation.
Gasly further detailed the nature of the improvements: “These upgrades are primarily focused on the aerodynamic side of the car, which is where we’ve identified the most potential for gains. They are designed to deliver a real step up in overall performance, not just a marginal improvement. Consequently, I’m incredibly keen to try them out on track at Ricard, with the strong hope that they can effectively put us back in a position to consistently fight for points in what is an exceptionally competitive midfield.” The implications for AlphaTauri’s Constructors’ Championship standing are significant, with every point vital in their ongoing battle against rivals like Alpine, McLaren, and Haas.
The French Grand Prix at Paul Ricard therefore represents a pivotal moment for AlphaTauri. It is not just another race on the calendar, but a crucial test of their development capabilities and strategic vision for the remainder of the 2022 season. If the upgrades deliver on their promise, they could provide the momentum needed to elevate both Tsunoda and Gasly into more consistent points-scoring positions, thereby strengthening the team’s standing in the championship. The performance of the AT02 this weekend will be under intense scrutiny, as the team looks to transform their high-speed cornering weaknesses into newfound strengths and reassert their presence in the challenging world of Formula 1.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter andgo ad-free
2022 F1 season
- Mercedes told me “you’re wrong” about 2022 car’s problems – Hamilton
- FIA confirms all 10 F1 teams complied with 2022 cost cap
- Steiner “not ashamed” of panning “slow” Schumacher in Drive to Survive
- Albon believes year out of F1 improved him as a driver
- Hamilton sees diversity gains in F1 years on from his ‘traumatising’ experience of racism
Browse all 2022 F1 season articles