AlphaTauri has announced the retention of Yuki Tsunoda for the 2024 F1 season, with Daniel Ricciardo getting a full season too.
This will be Tsunoda’s fourth season with AlphaTauri in 2024 as the Japanese driver continues his partnership with the team after showing much better performances this year. After having an up and down run previously, he put forward some solid drives so far.
Even though he hasn’t got enough points to show for it but overall, it has been a much better run for Tsunoda as he is rewarded with another year in F1. While his seat was more or less certain, the second one saw fresh debates after the performances of Liam Lawson.
Ricciardo looked firm until his injury and a look in at Lawson. But the Australian’s experience has certainly played a key role for him to secure a full-time drive as both he and Red Bull eye a senior team return in 2025 alongside Max Verstappen.
Lawson, meanwhile, will remain as Red Bull and AlphaTauri reserve for the 2024 season where he is set to attend all the races and undertake test and simulator work. “I’m so happy to announce that I will be staying with Scuderia AlphaTauri for the 2024 Formula 1 season”, said 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.”
At the same time, Ricciardo stated: “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.”
On the teams side, the outgoing team chief Franz Tost commented: “Next year, the technical regulations remain largely unchanged and it was therefore logical to go for continuity in our driver line-up too. I am very pleased with the development that Yuki has shown over the last two and a half years with our team and with Daniel’s great race-winning experience we will have one of the most competitive driver pairings on the grid in 2024.
“Peter (Bayer) and Laurent (Mekies) will have a great duo to start the new season in the right direction. As for Liam, who has impressed everyone in his races so far, he will definitely help the team in his development role as a third driver, and I’m sure he will have a future in Formula One soon.”
And finally, Peter Bayer added: “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.”
Here’s Christian Horner on Liam Lawson