It's time to take stock of the last weeks before Formula 1 returns for the second part of this 2021 season. Rest for everyone, but no one's never really completely disconnected, thinking about how and where to improve in order to be able to bring better performance and being more competitive on track.

At AlphaTauri, Franz Tost summed up this first part of the calendar which ended in Hungary, commenting on his team that proved promising on the track despite the young drivers.

When asked to give a numerical evaluation, he replied: "It’s in the middle. I would say a five. A five means, out of 10, there is still another 50% to improve.

"We had some really good races, some highlights. When I look generally to the start of the season, we were very competitive, like we are now as well.

"The last three races [before Budapest] I’m not so satisfied, because we scored only four points. And this of course was not enough.

"It’s a hard fight. We have very strong teams near to us, with Aston Martin and Alpine, and we have to get it together to finish in fifth position."

"As long as we are in front of Aston Martin and Alpine, it’s OK. I don’t care which driver is delivering out of the cars," Tost explained.

Pierre Gasly is a certainty, he has fully regained confidence in himself after the Red Bull mishap and continues to serve excellent performances, he is constant, attentive and this experience gained over the years is easily traceable in the 50 points conquered so far.

Yuki Tsunoda is the only rookie this season, he is still trying to find the right feeling in the car, alternating positive performances with accidents that have cost perhaps a little too much to the team from Faenza this year.

But the line-up will almost certainly be confirmed for next season as well, as Marko said a few weeks ago and as Tost pointed out praising his drivers.

“Personally, I hope that we can continue with these two drivers because Pierre is a fantastic driver – very fast, very experienced, he fits really good to the team – and I want to keep Yuki as well, because, you know, we educated him for one year and I expect from him a very strong second half of the season,” he said.

"Pierre is doing a fantastic job. He is driving really on a very, very high level, and he shows the potential of the car. I must say that the potential is there to finish fifth in the constructors’ championship. But of course, we have to get it together.

"Yuki is a rookie and Formula 1 nowadays is really very, very professional. It’s on a very, very high level, also on the technical side.

"For young drivers, it’s a big challenge to be in Formula 1 and to become a successful racer in there," he stated.

"I think from the outside we underestimate this, and we have to give young drivers the time, because just to come from another category and sit in the car, thinking you can drive without doing any mistakes and you will be immediately successful is dreaming on the wrong side.

"To become successful in Formula 1, you have to work very, very hard, and you have to be disciplined. But also this, the young drivers have to learn.

"We are on a good way with Yuki. He is learning fast, and sometimes maybe he’s a little bit too motivated.

"Of course, sometimes he makes a little bit of a mistake but he is in a good [place] and if he continues like this then we will see a very strong second half of the season, and then be prepared for next year – therefore I hope he will be with Scuderia Alphatauri," he concluded.