AlphaTauri CEO Peter Bayer has revealed that the team will be bringing a “big upgrade” to this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix that follows the Red Bull philosophy.
While Red Bull has taken victory in every round to be held this year, the energy drink giant’s junior team, AlphaTauri, languishes bottom of the Constructors’ Championship.
Having posted its best points tally and equal-highest finishing position only two years ago, the Faenza-based squad have rapidly regressed down the pecking order since the regulations were changed last season.
After being classified only ninth last year, AlphaTauri has slumped to the foot of the standings this term, only accumulating three points across the 14 rounds so far.
However, Bayer confirms that AlphaTauri will be aiming to make progress from this weekend with the addition of updates to its AT04 car that mirror the popular design philosophy of Red Bull’s RB19.
“There are no quick gains,” Bayer expressed in an interview with PlanetF1.
“I mean, this year, we’ve seen some amazing changes in the results scheme, when suddenly Aston Martin popped up, and then suddenly McLaren popped up.
“I think that’s really down to the fact that they all understood that what Red Bull Racing did in terms of design philosophy is the right one with this new downforce element which everybody is following.
“We actually have a big upgrade coming for Singapore, which will follow the same philosophy so everybody’s closing in on that and then I think next year will be extremely close.”
AlphaTauri’s sudden plight in recent years prompted speculation that Red Bull may elect to sell the team. However, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko quashed the rumours.
Marko, though, did emphasise that the Italian outfit must improve its performance to become more financially sustainable, with AlphaTauri set to enjoy a closer technical collaboration with Red Bull from 2024.
Bayer, who departed the FIA to take up his current position earlier this year, admits AlphaTauri will be aiming to “exploit” the relationship to the fullest extent allowed by the regulations.
“With the cost cap, and the technical regulations, you almost can’t be like a sister or brother team – you have to be a Formula 1 team,” Bayer acknowledged.
“We need to grow through that process of growing up, going through adolescence, and start walking on our own feet. Obviously not in contradiction with getting support from our family, and I think that’s really what we’re also supposed to achieve.
“That’s what we want to achieve, we can still exploit the technical collaboration because we haven’t done that in the past.
“It’s well known by now, but, if you think about the importance of the suspension nowadays, and that we’re not using the suspension – which we are allowed to use – it simply was a mistake.”
AlphaTauri remains the only team yet to confirm either of its drivers for 2024.
The side began the year with Nyck de Vries alongside Yuki Tsunoda, but the Dutchman’s struggles saw him dropped only 10 races into his rookie campaign.
De Vries was replaced by Daniel Ricciardo, who returned to the Red Bull fray this year after being dropped by McLaren at the end of last season.
However, the Australian’s comeback lasted only two races before a crash in FP3 at Zandvoort last month saw him break his left hand, ruling him out of action.
Ricciardo’s absence has allowed Liam Lawson to make his F1 debut, with the Kiwi staking a claim for a permanent AlphaTauri seat with a pair of impressive displays.
Red Bull’s second-string squad will also embark upon a name change next year, the identity of which is yet to be confirmed.
