Ahead of qualifying on the Japanese Grand Prix, AlphaTauri have confirmed that they’re set to race with Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo in the 2024 F1 season with Liam Lawson retaining his position as reserve driver.
There was some uncertainty round AlphaTauri’s driver line-up for the upcoming season. Nyck de Vries was axed after the British Grand Prix with Daniel Ricciardo having taken over his seat on the Faenza-based outfit. However, the Australian was sidelined after his nasty observe crash in Zandvoort which prompted the staff to promote their reserve driver Liam Lawson right into a racing position.
With Ricciardo’s restoration lasting longer than initially anticipated and hoped, it was undecided which drivers AlphaTauri intend to proceed to race with. The staff has now ended the hypothesis by asserting their full driver line up for the 2024 season as Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo proceed to race for the staff. Current Japanese Super Formula title contender, Liam Lawson will reprise his position as reserve driver for each Red Bull groups, specializing in testing, simulator classes and improvement work, attending all of the races full time.
The announcement means Tsunoda will stay at AlphaTauri for a fourth straight season, whereas Ricciardo will get a full season after having been left with out a race seat for half a season.
remaining constant in 2024 👊 we’re very blissful to announce that Yuki, Daniel and Liam will proceed with the staff into subsequent yr 🙌 pic.twitter.com/qZ2NarlZIS
— Scuderia AlphaTauri (@AlphaTauriF1) September 23, 2023
“I’m so happy to announce that I will be staying with Scuderia AlphaTauri for the 2024 Formula 1 season”, stated Yuki Tsunoda. “I’m looking forward to continuing to fight and collaborate with the team and Daniel. Obviously, I’ll push as much as possible for the rest of the season and beyond, to progress as a driver. I’m grateful for Red Bull and Honda, for continuing to support and believe in me, and very happy and thankful to continue the partnership.”
Ricciardo joined what was then Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2012, to earn a seat in 2014 at Red Bull Racing, the place he scored quite a few podiums and gained 8 Grand Prix together with the distinguished Monaco GP.
Confirming his dedication to the staff, Daniel Ricciardo commented, “I’m stoked to be driving with Yuki again next year and continuing the journey with Scuderia AlphaTauri. Following the progress we have already made and the plans for the future, it’s an exciting time for the Team. We are building and it is a great feeling. There is a lot of work to do, but we are heading in the right direction and there is a lot to look forward to. Bring on 2024!”
The youngest driver on the grid in Suzuka this weekend, 21-year-old, Liam Lawson has been greater than spectacular in Japan’s Super Formula, at present mendacity second in the championship with one spherical remaining. He has already impressed in Formula 1 by scoring factors after solely two races accomplished with Scuderia AlphaTauri as a last-minute reserve for the injured Daniel Ricciardo.
“Next year, the technical regulations remain largely unchanged,” stated Franz Tost, Scuderia AlphaTauri Team Principal, “and it was subsequently logical to go for continuity in our driver line-up too. I’m very happy with the event that Yuki has proven during the last two and a half years with our staff and with Daniel’s nice race-winning expertise we could have one of the aggressive driver pairings on the grid in 2024.
“Peter (Bayer) and Laurent (Mekies) could have a terrific duo to begin the brand new season in the suitable course. As for Liam, who has impressed everybody in his races thus far, he will certainly assist the staff in his improvement position as a 3rd driver, and I’m certain he could have a future in Formula One quickly.”
Peter Bayer, Scuderia AlphaTauri CEO, commented: “We are in a privileged position, where we have access to multiple great talents from the Red Bull world. This is a credit to the work that Dr. Marko has been doing for many years. Both Daniel and Yuki have not just shown fantastic race craft but are also great global ambassadors for our team and our sport. Liam put himself in the spotlight of F1 in only three races and I am very happy that we can continue to prepare him for his future.”
