Tsunoda set for extra pre-season test mileage
AlphaTauri looks set to hand rookie Yuki Tsunoda some extra pre-season running at Imola in an old Formula 1 car ahead of his first race.
With F1's official pre-season testing programme cut back to just three days in Bahrain, teams are mindful about how little opportunity there will be for drivers to get up to speed ahead of the new campaign.
That counts for those drivers swapping seats, and is especially true for a rookie like Tsunoda, who will want as much preparation time as he can get.
AlphaTauri is therefore planning to use the opportunity to test an older car during some running at Imola as its pre-season plans take place.
Motorsport.com understands that the Faenza-based team is planning two separate sessions at Imola for both its drivers, as well as to try out its new car.
It is set to run next week (January 27 and 28) with an older spec car to allow Tsunoda some extra mileage as part of his build-up programme. Pierre Gasly could also get some mileage too.
The team is then expected to return to Imola for a second run between February 23 to February 25, which will likely include a filming day for its 2021 challenger.
While teams are limited to just three days of official testing, the rules do allow for two 'Promotional Event' days where they can run their contemporary cars.
These tests are limited to a maximum of 100 kilometres and teams can only use special filming day tyres for this evaluation.
AlphaTauri's 2021 challenger will use the same chassis as last year's AT01 but will have heavily revised aerodynamics, in part because of new floor rules that have been introduced in a bid to cut downforce.
It is believed the new car will feature a more narrow nose, which the outfit has had to use development tokens for. However the team has elected not to go down the route of using the full rear end of the RB16 as the rules did allow.
AlphaTauri will stick with Honda power units for the Japanese manufacturer's final official campaign in F1.
Related video
Previous article
Perez felt "stupidest guy on earth" for catching COVID
Next article
Steiner: Grosjean didn’t get credit he deserved through F1 career
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Yuki Tsunoda |
| Teams | AlphaTauri |
| Author | Franco Nugnes |
How Do Drivers Stay Fit For F1 Grand Prix?
Ronnie Peterson and Jochen Rindt Tribute
#ThinkingForward with Juan Pablo Montoya
The themes to watch in F1's Imola return
Three weeks is a long time in Formula 1, but in the reshaped start to the 2021 season the teams head to Imola to pick things up after the frenetic Bahrain opener. Here's what to look out for and the developments to follow at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. Ben Anderson looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says Nigel Roebuck.
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Is Formula 1 as good as it has ever been now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
How Williams’ new structure adheres to a growing F1 trend
Williams held out against the tide for many years but, as MARK GALLAGHER explains, the age of the owner-manager is long gone
When a journeyman driver's F1 career lasted just 800m
Nikita Mazepin’s Formula 1 debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix lasted mere corners before he wiped himself out in a shunt, but his financial backing affords him a full season. Back in 1993 though, Marco Apicella was an F1 driver for just 800m before a first corner fracas ended his career. Here’s the story of his very short time at motorsport’s pinnacle.
How Raikkonen's rapid rise stalled his teammate's F1 career climb
Kimi Raikkonen's emergence as a Formula 1 star in his rookie campaign remains one of the legendary storylines from 2001, but his exploits had an unwanted impact on his Sauber teammate's own prospects. Twenty years on from his first F1 podium at the Brazilian GP, here's how Nick Heidfeld's career was chilled by the Iceman.
