Williams and AlphaTauri confirm launch date of their new cars

Williams and AlphaTauri have become the latest F1 teams to reveal the launch date of their 2021 Formula 1 challenger, increasing the number of teams that have already confirmed the launch date of the new cars to five.

The Faenza-based team will unveil its new car on Friday, February 19. The new machine will be named AT02 that will be the evolution of its predecessor, the AT01 due to the technical restrictions.

The former Toro Rosso team, which was rebranded to Scuderia AlphaTauri at the beginning of last year to carry the name of Red Bull’s fashion brand, will contest with a new driver line-up in the 2021 F1 season.

Pierre Gasly, who took a sensational victory at last year’s Italian Grand Prix, will continue his endeavour at the team, piloting one of the AT02s, but he will be partnered by rookie driver Yuki Tsunoda. After finishing third in the 2020 FIA F2 Championship, the Japanese driver will join the Italian team, replacing Daniil Kvyat.

Williams have also revealed the launch date of its new car, with the covers set to come off their 2021 challenger on Friday, March 5. The Grove-based squad’s 2021 machinery will be called FW43B, which refers to the fact that the new car will be the evolution of its predecessor due to the coronavirus pandemic-induced technical restrictions.

The team, which was founded by Sir Frank Williams in 1977, has undergone significant changes recently. The family-run squad was sold out to US investment firm Dorilton Capital last August. Deputy Team Principal Claire Williams also left last September, ending the involvement of the Williams family in the business.

Simon Roberts was named as new Team Principal while Ex-Mclaren boss Jost Capito has been brought in as CEO. Moreover, Jenson Button, who started his F1 career at Williams has recently joined the team as a Senior Advisor.

McLaren, Alfa Romeo and Mercedes have already confirmed the date to reveal their 2021 cars. The Woking-based outfit is currently poised to become the first squad to reveal its new car with a digital launch planned which will take place at their factory on 15 February.

The Hinwil-based Alfa Romeo team will travel to Warsaw, Poland where its title sponsor Orlen is located to take the cover off its new car. The C41 will be unveiled on Monday, 22nd February 2021, just over two weeks before pre-season testing gets underway in Sakhir.

Mercedes is set to reveal its 2021 machine, the W12 on March 2.