AlphaTauri’s 2021 AT02, based on the previous year’s AT01, incorporated parts proven on Red Bull’s 2020 RB16, and was equipped with originally developed aerodynamic parts to increase competitiveness. While Red Bull introduced the RB16B, which featured a significantly improved rear suspension over the RB16, the AlphaTauri retained its gearbox and rear suspension, but significantly improved the front suspension. A narrower nose for better aerodynamics was adopted, and the overall shape more closely resembled a Red Bull-designed car.

The power unit was the RA621H, which Honda had spared no effort to develop in its final year in F1, with potential so great that Red Bull, powered by the same power unit, overcame fierce competition, and Max Verstappen won the championship, giving Honda its first title in 30 years. With its top-tier power unit, expectations were high for the AT02.

With the car more competitive, Pierre Gasly regularly made the Q3 qualifying sessions, and finished on the podium in third in Round 6, Azerbaijan. However, relatively high demands on the tires and poor race operations continued to hamper the team throughout the season, finishing sixth in the constructors’ championship.

In this final year for Honda, AlphaTauri hired the first Japanese F1 driver in seven years, since Kamui Kobayashi in 2014. Yuki Tsunoda, a graduate of the Honda Formula Dream Project (HFDP), became a full-time driver for AlphaTauri.

Born in 2000, Tsunoda started racing karts at the age of four and demonstrated his talent . He trained at the Suzuka Circuit Racing School Formula (SRS-Formula, now Honda Racing School Suzuka (HRS)) in 2016, earning a scholarship as a high achiever. He competed in the FIA F4 championship from 2017, and became champion in 2018 with seven wins. In 2019, he moved to Europe to compete in the FIA F3 Championship as a HFDP-trained driver. He achieved his first win and moved up to the FIA F2 Championship in 2020. With three wins during the season, he became the first Japanese driver to win the FIA Rookie of the Year award. He finished third in the series ranking, and obtained the super license required to compete in F1, paving the way for him to become an F1 driver.

In the season-opener in Bahrain, Tsunoda made an impressive F1 debut. He achieved a remarkable feat by finishing secind in Q1, and although he did not make it to Q3, he started his debut race from 13th on the grid and finished ninth. This was the first time for a Japanese driver to score points in his debut race. However, an accident at Round 2, Emilio Romagna, threw him off course. Although Imola was one of Tsunoda’s favorite tracks, he crashed in Q1, and the damage to his monocoque plunged him into a slump in the first half of the season. After realizing the cause of the crash, and repairing the car, Tsunoda regained his dynamic driving style in the second half of the season, and gradually improved his performance. In the final round, the Abu Dhabi GP, he advanced to Q3, earning him eighth on the grid. He finished the race fourth. It was the best result of his troubled debut year.