AlphaTauri 'now ready for Austria', says Gasly after Imola test

Pierre Gasly says AlphaTauri are now ready for the new Formula 1 season to kick off, after the team completed a private test session on Wednesday.

Unrestricted testing with current machinery is not allowed under the F1 rules, but all the teams are allowed to run their cars for two promotional filming days each year, an option AlphaTauri decided to use to allow their drivers some on-track time ahead of the first race of the new season next month.

And after the run at the Imola circuit, Gasly declared himself and the team ready to hit the ground running at the Austrian Grand Prix on July 5.

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"I was really happy to be back on track after such a long wait," he said. "I had really missed that feeling you get from driving so it was incredible to be back in the STR13 and the AT01. We had a really smooth day, doing some laps in both cars.

"I woke up this morning feeling excited and happy and I will fall asleep tonight in the same mood. It was also special to drive a Formula 1 car at Imola, which is one of my favourite tracks. I think we are now ready for Austria.‬"

Daniil Kvyat also got behind the wheel, and says he enjoyed his run at Imola so much he thinks the track should start hosting Grands Prix again.

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"Being here in Imola today feels great!" he said. "I’ve known the track for a while now because I did one of my first tests here for Formula BMW in 2010 and a race for Formula Renault Alps in 2012 and today I’ve finally returned for a filming day with the team.

"Imola is a track which is really nice to drive with lots of fast turns and I think it’s a track which really deserves to return to the F1 calendar. It was a special feeling today being back in the car after such a long break and I really enjoyed it."

As well as running their new AT01 challenger, the team also had their 2018 car, the STR13, at the test. And it seems Kvyat was so excited to be back behind the wheel he couldn't help but pull a few doughnuts...