Although the renders of AlphaTauri’s AT04 2023 Formula 1 design suggest a car that is visually almost indistinguishable from last year’s, there could be one very important difference.
It’s impossible to be definitive when all we are looking at are computer-generated images but in profile it does appear as if the front axle line of the car has been moved further forward. If so, it suggests that AlphaTauri was not at the maximum permitted wheelbase last year.
Why might this be significant? Because this was a key desired change technical director Jody Egginton outlined in his summary of the limitations of last year’s car, which proved very difficult to balance.
Getting a consistent balance between entry and mid-corner proved extremely challenging, a trait which was far from unique under the then-new aero regulations of last year, but which was particularly debilitating on the AT03, much to Pierre Gasly’s frequent frustration.
Looking ahead to this year’s car when it was still in the planning stage, Egginton said: “We’re interested in moving the front suspension forwards. It’s a key aerodynamic driver… the budget cap really forces you to look at [where you get value] and the key point is to make sure that we modify all the structural parts which could be aerodynamic key drivers.”
Given that the position of the AT04’s inlets for radiators and floor look unchanged relative to the cockpit, logically the gap between floor inlet and front axle could only be changed by moving the axle forwards.
The renders do suggest a slightly extended gap between axle line and cockpit. Giving the airflow coming around the front wheels more distance in which to align itself with the floor inlets should in theory give a more consistent feed to the underfloor which in turn could open up a wider window of traits between different phases of the corner and between corners of different speeds.
Might this be the key change to transform the team’s disappointing 2022 form and return it return it to the sort of giantkilling performances we saw in 2020?
