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AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda believes that the team can still challenge for seventh in the constructors’ championship after a major upgrade was applied to the AT04.
Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo have been performing very well recently (Image Credit: Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)Before the United States Grand Prix, AlphaTauri found themselves bottom of the constructors’ championship. They were seven points behind Haas – with nine points – with five races left.
The Faenza team have spent most of the season finishing outside the points. They have also spent the most time at the bottom of the constructors’ championship.
However, for the race in Austin, the team brought a major upgrade package. The upgrades included a new floor, revised engine cover bodywork, along with suspension and chassis geometry changes to increase downforce.
Since the upgrades in Austin, AlphaTauri have been consistently scoring points in all three rounds. Due to this, they have overtaken Haas and Alfa Romeo for eighth. With two rounds to go, Williams are only seven points ahead – additionally the Grove-based team ended the development of their FW44 early.
AlphaTauri are a “dark horse”
The new upgrades has given consistency for the Faenza team. This makes Tsunoda to believe that the Italian team is now a “dark horse” to beat Williams in the constructors’ championship. The Japanese driver said:
“It’s a big surprise. I think we’re right now a dark horse, especially compared to our other competitors. So, I think it’s good.
“So far, we are scoring points three races in a row. So, a very good rhythm.
“We need to just keep doing like this for the rest of the races. Now we are closer to P7 in the teams’ championship. I think it’s possible, and we will do our best.”
The points have come from the last three races in the United States, Mexico and Brazil. In Mexico, Daniel Ricciardo qualified brilliantly in fourth before reaching the chequered flag in seventh.
Brazil saw Tsunoda take advantage of the crashes and retirements from the race to secure a ninth place finish at the Interlagos Circuit.
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix was positive for AlphaTauri in the constructors’ championship. Alfa Romeo, Haas and Williams all failed to score points.
AlphaTauri have secured a good amount of points in the last three races (Image Credit: Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)AT04 feels “more balanced”
Tsunoda feels that the car has “more balance” since the upgrades were applied at the Circuit of The Americas.
“Inside the car, I feel quite similar. Obviously, I feel better, I feel more the balance.
“The results say everything. We definitely made a big step, especially the upgrades we had in Austin.
“Before Austin, we didn’t score enough points often. Now, we’re scoring three races in a row. That shows everything.”
With two races to go, AlphaTauri will be hoping that they can snatch seventh off Williams for the significant increase in prize money.
Feature Image Credit: Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
