AlphaTauri has unveiled its 2021 car - the AT02 - in an all-new matte blue and white livery, alongside its drivers Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda.

The launch - held at AlphaTauri's new showroom in Salzburg, and presented digitally - saw Red Bull's premium fashion brand model its Autumn/Winter 2021 collection together with the team's new-look for the upcoming season.

After a successful first season racing in the AlphaTauri colours, the Italian outfit is looking to challenge the top of the ultra-competitive midfield in 2021, putting its faith in the new pairing.

Since debuting with the team in 2017, Gasly has earned two F1 podiums - including a spectacular maiden win at Monza in 2020 - meaning his experience with the team will allow him to step-up to a team leader role.

Joining the Frenchman will be 20-year-old Tsunoda, the first Japanese driver to race in F1 since 2014. His promotion to F1 comes off the back of a fast, four-season trajectory; from winning the 2018 F4 Japanese Championship and finishing third in the 2020 FIA F2 Championship to entering the top-level ranks this year. Expectations are high for his rapid style of learning to complement the experience of Gasly.

"The decision to go for Pierre and Yuki in 2021 was taken because AlphaTauri's philosophy is still to give talented young drivers from the Red Bull Junior Program the opportunity to step up to F1 and to educate them, this is why Yuki now gets his chance," explained team principal, Franz Tost.

"With Pierre on Yuki's side we have an experienced driver, who can help our Japanese rookie to develop faster, but at the same time we can aim for good results. I think this pair is the best possible scenario to achieve both our targets, and I'm also confident this will be a successful one."

In 2020, AlphaTauri won best livery by a landslide, and the team's new livery took centre stage with the drivers at the fashion event, anticipating the 2021 model that will debut on track at pre-season testing in Bahrain. The test is the precursor to an unprecedented 23-race schedule, and in preparation for the demanding calendar both drivers have spent time at Red Bull's Athlete Performance Center for intense fitness testing.

"I'm ready to take on the role of team leader," said Gasly. "Yuki is a very quick driver, and he will help us move the team forward - we will work together to achieve that.

"I really believe last year was the team's best in terms of the way it worked, the development," he added, "the performance and the way it managed the race weekends. I'm always hungry for more, and I'm sure we can achieve great things in 2021."

"I've been lucky enough to spend some time with AlphaTauri ahead of the season," said Tsunoda, "so I'm already developing strong relationships and learning a lot from them - including Pierre, who is an incredible talent. My main goal is to learn quickly and deliver results as soon as possible, and I'm really excited to get started."

Check out our AT02 reveal gallery, here.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 19/02/2021 23:56

"One can only concur with the previous comments. Why they went to the trouble of airing that nonsense is a mystery. Hopefully their racing talents are better qualified than their 'promotions' team. Abyssmal...."

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2. Posted by The edge, 19/02/2021 14:56

"😂 Chris you made my day... I hadn’t seen it, but with nothing better to do I thought I’d pop onto YouTube & take a look

OMG, a 40 minute live version, I feel sorry for anyone in that audience, I’m surprised there was anyone left at the end 🤣

Question... why was there a painting of Pier Gasley... standing next to Sergio Perez, I was really confused when out walked Kvyat until my brain registered that he was in fact the other Alphatauri driver

It’s the team you have to feel sorry for, playing second fiddle to some new coats & trousers"

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3. Posted by Editor, 19/02/2021 13:59

"@ The edge

You clearly didn't watch last year's 'launch'... it was truly dreadful.

The one good thing about COVID and social distancing is that at least we didn't have to suffer a repeat."

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4. Posted by The edge, 19/02/2021 13:51

"Is it just me or did anyone else find ATs Launch video cringeworthingly embarrassing. I’m not talking about the car, but the show. To tell people it’s an F1 launch then present a poorly made digital fashion show with several glimpses of the f1 car woven in is a disgrace to the sport "

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AlphaTauri reveals the AT02

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