Pierre Gasly suggests Scuderia AlphaTauri is in better shape heading into the 2021 Formula 1 season than it was going into last year’s campaign.

The Frenchman last year won the Italian Grand Prix, only the operation’s second victory throughout its 36-year history (having originally formed in 1985 as Minardi).

AlphaTauri recorded the equal highest number of laps during pre-season testing, leaving Gasly positive after the three days of running in Bahrain.

“I feel a lot better after three days than I felt last year at the same stage of the season, so a lot of positives to take from it,” Gasly said.

“[The] Car is working well, the engine is working well, no issues.

“We have a bit more power, which we like, and hopefully some more coming in the season, but overall we’ve managed to work through all the programme we wanted.”

A key component to test was the new Honda power unit.

Attention has been given to the internal combustion engine, turbo, and energy recovery system, along with improvements to the installation of the unit within the car.

“I think we have good directions with developments; we already know what our strength and weakness is from this car, so I think a lot to take from here and I’m really excited to get started,” Gasly said.

AlphaTauri last year finished seventh in the constructors’ championship with 107 points – almost a quarter of which came courtesy of Gasly in Italy alone.

The Frenchman this year will be joined by rookie Yuki Tsunoda, who was second fastest on the final day of testing in Bahrain.

The opening round of the 2021 F1 season, the Bahrain Grand Prix, is scheduled for March 26-28.