Brendan Lines

February 15, 2020

Alpha Tauri unveiled its AT01 at a lavish ceremony at Red Bull’s Hangar-7 in Austria last night, this is the first look at an all new outfit that will make its debut at Albert Park in March.

ATO1 breaks cover at the Hangar-7 launch – Image Red Bull

Its an all new look, or more accurately a re-branding we have known about for months as parent company Red Bull aligned what was its sister team Toro Rosso, with its new clothing brand Alpha Tauri.

But apart from the look of the new livery, Team Principle Franz Tost says nothing has changed.

“The name change has no effect on the way we operate as a Formula 1 team at the race track or our facilities in Faenza and Bicester” Tost said.

“This launch has been one of the most exciting and en-tertaining I have ever experienced in Formula 1. There has been a special atmosphere in Hangar-7 in Salz-burg and all the elements have come together to launch our team, Scuderia AlphaTauri, and to witness the AlphaTauri fashion collection. It has been a unique event where fashion has met Formula 1, with AlphaTau-ri’s clothing and our new racing car being revealed globally. Our team says a big thank you to all the guests who have joined us to celebrate our new beginning with AlphaTauri. We are very much looking forward to the new season starting in Australia and I’m convinced we’re going to have a successful future together.”

Franz Tost speaking at the event with Danil Kyvat (right) and Pierre Gasly (left) – Image: Red Bull

The height of anticipation for the arrival of the AT01 was met with a glitzy fashion parade hosted by ex-Red Bull driver and ‘elder statesman’ of Formula 1 David Coulthard.

Alpha Tauri retains its drivers Daniel Kyvat and Pierre Gasly, who are aiming to build on the teams most successful season taking two podiums in 2019.

With stable regulation carrying over from 2019, Driver Daniel Kyvat said to F1.com the team’s evolution is directly tied to last years car.

“It’s a big thing going on here tonight,” said Kvyat.

“New name for the team, new livery. Of course technically, the team is going to continue the evolution from last year. I would say it was a strong year in terms of the team’s performance last year.,” he said.

As Alpha Tauri remain close with Red Bull for technical support, the low front high rake chassis is a giveaway.

ATO1 new livery – – Image: Red Bull

But it is a crucial partnership nonetheless as the team will need every edge it can get to fight against McLaren and Renault in the tight mid-field battle.

Last years Australian Grand Prix was the launch pad for then Toro Rosso’s best year, as Kyvat scored points for his 10th place and rookie Alex Albon came home 14th in his first race.

The AT01 will get a full shakedown at Misano, Italy, before heading to Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona for pre-season testing.