Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) AlphaTauri AT04 and Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing RB19 at the start of the race. 17.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 16, Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore, Race Day.
AlphaTauri Technical Director Jody Egginton has downplayed the number of Red Bull parts the team will use on its car next year amid the two side’s closer collaboration.
AlphaTauri has struggled throughout this regulation cycle, following up a ninth-place finish last season by currently languishing bottom of the standings in 2023.
After reports that the team could be sold were quashed, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko revealed that AlphaTauri will “use as many synergies with Red Bull Racing as allowed by the regulations” and also benefit from an increased presence within its aero department based in Bicester, UK.
That, along with the Faenza squad’s introduction of a sizeable Red Bull-inspired upgrade in Singapore, has prompted speculation that AlphaTauri could effectively run a clone of the title-winning RB19.
However, Egginton has confirmed that AlphaTauri will only take on a range of parts from Red Bull similar in total to the number it has been supplied in previous years.
“Since we started synergy in 2019, the parts we’ve selected off the menu have been different, and for next year will be slightly different again,” he explained via Autosport.
“Relative to this year, a bit more. Relative to a couple of the previous years, probably about the same.
“At the end of the day, there’s a notional value consideration for customer teams. So, when you start purchasing parts from supplying teams, you’ve got to keep an eye on the budget. But we’ll maximise what’s available to us as we try to do as much as we can.”
Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) AlphaTauri AT04. 23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
Egginton asserts that AlphaTauri has always operated by sharing close technical ties with Red Bull, but believes it is only now being reported on a wider scale because of the sister team’s continuing troubles.
The AlphaTauri technical chief has also denied it is being controlled entirely by Red Bull, insisting the side has always been allowed to assess which parts it will use.
“I’ve read on occasions how it is communicated through the press, but the bottom line is, there are three sets of regulations, sporting, technical, and financial. [Red Bull] headquarters are saying maximise what you can do,” he highlighted.
“It has become a bit more public lately, for various reasons, and we’re encouraged to look at everything and explore every area. But there’ll be some things that we can’t take.
“It has become a bit more of a thing. We’re less competitive, so people are saying ‘You’re not quick enough, what are you doing?’
“In 2020 and 2021, when the car was competitive, it wasn’t really talked about. We took some Red Bull bits, so be it.
“So yeah, we’re being encouraged. But it’s not really a case of control. But it’s good to know that the guys in headquarters have got our back and are encouraging both teams to really maximise what they can do under the regulations.”
Egginton was unclear whether the Red Bull parts to be adopted by AlphaTauri will be of the latest specification. However, he did underline how the team has been able to utilise running older designs previously.
“This stuff’s always in discussion,” he added. “I wouldn’t want to say exactly what we’re doing yet.
“We’ve been ‘year minus one’, in 2022 we had the same parts because it was the first year of the regulation, we’ve been ‘year minus two’ in previous times. [That was] because we wanted to be ‘year minus two’.
“The 2021 car was ‘year minus two’ on some bits. We were comfortable with that. It worked well for us. So we’re always pushing Red Bull to support us in the best way possible and where that’s appropriate and where it can be achieved, we’ll take it.”
Meanwhile, Egginton disclosed that work on a radically overhauled chassis for next year is well underway within AlphaTauri’s ranks.
“At the end of the day, our aerodynamic concept, although we haven’t got the highest performing car on the grid, it’s not standout different to anybody else,” he commented.
“We know which way we want to go. And also, there’s some optimisation and other things, but primarily we’re aero-driven.
“So, the chassis will be substantially different. But in terms of concept change, we know which way we’re going. We’re reasonably aligned with what direction other teams are going as well. We’ve just got to be more successful in achieving those objectives.”
Keyword: AlphaTauri downplay extent of Red Bull parts on 2024 F1 car