AlphaTauri are hoping that they can continue to perform against the odds as the new F1 regulations are set to result in a truly unpredictable season.
The Italian racing team and constructor has one of the smallest budgets currently competing in Formula 1, but that did not stop them from achieving an impressive sixth-place finish in the 2021 Constructor Standings.
Pierre Gasly, who finished in ninth place in the 2021 Driver Standings whilst scoring 110 points, is certain that this season will be full of surprises. He also highlighted the huge challenge faced by each Constructor team as they must figure out how to build the best car possible in order to fulfil the new regulations.
Despite his improved performances last season, Gasly is ranked as an outsider in the latest betting online at odds of +17500, with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen expected to resume their battle for the Drivers Championship in 2022. However, Gasly earned plaudits for his performances last season and is expected to show further improvement next year.
The 26-year-old driver won the Fastest Lap Award in Hungary last season, racking up an impressive 1:18.394 lap, and also had a podium finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when he finished third behind Sergio Perez and Sebastian Vettel.
Gasly finished above Alonso and Vettel in the 2021 F1 Driver Standings
Gasly is bullish about his chances this season: “I really hope that this is a year when I can fight at the very front, to finish regularly in the top five and even higher if the car is good enough for that.”
He is also mentally prepared for any scenario in what is likely to be an unpredictable season and views the upcoming changes to the regulations as an opportunity for AlphaTauri to continue to punch above its weight, and perhaps defy the odds for the upcoming season. The uncertainty is likely to produce some shock results and the Italian racing team and constructor could actually profit from this.
AlphaTauri have already unveiled their F1 2022 car, the AT03, which meets the new F1 regulations and features a completely different and new look and design. Scuderia AlphaTauri Team Principal Franz Tost has described the new car as very special, and hopes are high for the new season.
Gasly’s team-mate, the Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda, struggled to find consistency last season, but he ended the year on a high when he achieved fourth place at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, his best result in the 2021 season. He is hoping to learn from the experience of last season and after identifying weak points in his performances he has plenty of room for improvement.
Team boss Franz Tost has expressed approval of his two drivers and has high expectations for them this season. If Gasly and Tsunoda can fulfill their potential, AlphaTauri could be the dark horse of 2022. Interestingly, Gasly has another incentive to perform well this season.
His contract expires in 2023 and if he is able to maintain his consistent performances all year, there is a chance he could still return to Red Bull in the not too distant future.
There are sure to be plenty of surprises in store this season, much like every year previously, and it is possible that AlphaTauri, and Pierre Gasly, will continue to exceed expectations and be challenging for the number one spot.
