Before this 2022 Formula 1 French Grand Prix, most of the teams in the mid-range had already released their first major update, with the exception of AlphaTauri, which has opted for a conservative approach, making smaller adjustments.
However, this has caused the team to lose ground with respect to its main rivals in the middle zone and, an example of this, are the zero points that they have added in the last three appointments.
AlphaTauri technical director Jody Egginton said during the last Austrian Grand Prix that the upgrade for Paul Ricard was going to be “pretty big”, explaining that it would help the team catch up with its rivals.
The exact details of these upgrades were revealed on Friday at the FIA’s pre-event technical presentation, confirming that AlphaTauri had focused above all on improving the AT03’s floor.
Alpha Tauri AT03 rear wing for the French GP
The entire bottom of the car has been redone, including a complete profile change in an attempt to increase the amount of downforce generated at the bottom of the car.
The outer floor area is now shorter and the angle has changed, while the inner part is positioned further back on the trailing edge, the team reported.
AlphaTauri has also chosen to install a new floor edge that is now narrower, with a small undulation of the same bottom in the front area.
Some tweaks have also been made to the diffuser, which now has a greater drop at the trailing edge, while the engine cover has been enlarged throughout, with a new crack or indentation at the top.
Technical details of the AlphaTauri AT03 at the French GP
Pierre Gasly, a driver for the Faenza team, recognized the need to upgrade the AlphaTauri in recent weeks, and was optimistic about the potential for this upgrade.
“I don’t think we are very far behind, but the middle zone is very tight, so two or three tenths can make you go up or down seven or eight positions,” said the Frenchman.
“In the last few races we have been slowly moving towards the back of the pack, and I hope that these improvements will put us back in the fight,” he continued. “I’m really looking forward to seeing what they bring to the table and what we’re capable of achieving.”
His teammate Yuki Tsunoda hopes this update will allow AlphaTauri to fight for the “top seven”, something realistic “by the numbers” from the simulations.
“Each circuit is different for this car. But I hope we can improve at least three or four tenths compared to our previous characteristics,” concluded the Japanese.
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