Marko enthusiastic about AlphaTauri: "Still a little fuel left in the tank"

At AlphaTauri they are confident of a successful season. The goal is to finish in the top-five of the constructors' standings in the world championship, although Helmut Marko knows that will be a considerable task. With Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly there have two very talented drivers behind the wheel.

AlphaTauri had a very strong season last year with a victory for Gasly at Monza. The Faenza-based team managed to score 107 points, but fell short and finished in seventh place in the World Championship. It showed that the midfield was hugely competitive and is expected to be no different in 2021.

More in store for AlphaTauri

The second fastest time at the winter tests in Bahrain was driven by debutant Tsunoda. With a time of 1:29.053 on the softest tyres he was only one tenth behind Max Verstappen's fastest lap. It has to be said that the young Japanese drove with a compound that was just a little bit softer. In any case, it was a fast time and it wasn't even all that AlphaTauri was capable of."There was still a bit of fuel in the tank," said Helmut Marko.

Based on last week's simulations, McLaren seem to be the third team in the rankings, just like in 2020. Marko: "The AlphaTauri is a very good midfield car. I don't think it will be quite at McLaren level. The midfield will see others up front every weekend. Just as the battle was close and good last year, it will be again this year."

Impressive Tsunoda

In any case, Marko has already become fiercely impressed with what Tsunoda has shown in a day and a half at the Bahrain International Circuit. Although the Red Bull Racing advisor wants to temper expectations and not put too much pressure on, he calls the performance "impressive"."With each new set of tyres he got faster. There was no deterioration. And the way he banged out those laps really impressed us."