Sun Sep 15 15:03:00 UTC 2024: ## AlphaTauri Struggles in Baku, Facing Tyre Graining and Collision Woes
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix was a tough one for AlphaTauri, with both drivers facing significant challenges that resulted in a disappointing finish for the team.
Daniel Ricciardo, despite a strong start, was plagued by severe tyre graining, losing valuable track position and ultimately finishing outside the points. The graining, described as the most extreme Ricciardo has ever experienced, caused a swing of up to four seconds in lap times. The team, however, is confident they can address this issue before the Singapore Grand Prix.
Yuki Tsunoda’s race ended prematurely after a collision with Lance Stroll on the first lap. The impact caused damage to Tsunoda’s car, forcing him to retire. The team labelled Stroll’s move as unnecessary and lamented the loss of a potential points opportunity.
AlphaTauri’s Technical Director, Jody Egginton, acknowledged the team has much work to do in addressing the tyre graining issue. He stressed that the team is focused on finding a solution before the Singapore race.
Team Principal Laurent Mekies expressed disappointment at the weekend’s outcome, stating that the team has ground to make up to compete for top ten finishes. He highlighted the recent updates brought to the car, which did show improvements, but are still not enough to match the progress made by competitors.
Despite the setbacks, the team remains optimistic about the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix, hoping to rebound with stronger performances.
First Piper 