AlphaTauri Formula 1 team boss Franz Tost says that the Faenza outfit’s closer partnership with Red Bull Technology was the key to an improved performance in 2019.
The former Scuderia Toro Rosso matched its best ever constructors’ championship finish with sixth place, while both Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly secured podium finishes in high attrition races.
With both Red Bull and Toro Rosso using the same Honda power unit – after diverging in 2018 when the Italian team first went to Honda – last season the two organisations shared more components than previously, via Red Bull Technology.
“There is absolutely no doubt that the performance we have shown was a result to a very high percentage coming from the synergies with Red Bull Technology,” Tost told Motorsport.com.
“Because you must not forget that Red Bull Technology has most of the experienced engineers on their side, and for me this is maybe the best technical office or at least on a very high level with the three top teams.
“And we can only profit out of this synergy, and therefore we do it.
“We will get the complete rear end from them once more [in 2020]. Even if it’s one year old, because we are running the rear end and front suspension which Red Bull Racing raced last year.
“But nevertheless, this is a higher advantage for us than if we do it ourselves, because we have neither the financial resources nor the engineers. We can then concentrate in other areas where we can improve the performance.”
Tost acknowledged that the midfield fight is likely to be even tougher in 2021: “We are all not slowing down.
“I hope that we will speed up more than the others! It depends how competitive the new car will be, and how much progress also Honda will come up with. But generally speaking we should have quite a good package because the car now is on a certain level.
“We have two experienced drivers, and Honda will work very hard during the winter months to improve the performance.
“It will become very difficult because you have to find the balance of the development of the car for 2020, but you also must not forget to be concentrated on the research and development for the 2021 car.
“And this depends also on the financial resources which you have. And of course, the three top teams have a big advantage. We know this, but nevertheless, we will push very hard to hopefully come up in 2020 with a good car, and also in 2021.”
Tost also praised the knowledge that the combination of Kvyat and Gasly brings to the team.
The former will be in his sixth season in F1, while the latter will be starting his third full-time year.
“From the experience side we have the best driver line-up ever. It always depends on the situation. It could be that in 2021 we’ll have a young driver in the team. Currently it’s not necessary.
“I think currently, we’re in a better position to keep these drivers because if something happens at Red Bull Racing, they can take an experienced driver from us. And this is quite a position where you can start to work from. It’s exactly what Red Bull wants to achieve, it is to be flexible.”
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