Lawrence EdmondsonF1 Editor3 minutes of reading
Was Ricciardo’s Albatross ever in danger from Spot Lawson?
Nate Saunders responds to the news that Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda will lock down the AlphaTauri seats next year.
SUZUKA, Japan — AlphaTauri has confirmed that Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda will remain with the team next year.
Lawson currently replaces Ricciardo at Alfadauri alongside Tsunoda and has impressed in his first three races after scoring points last weekend in Singapore.
Red Bull, which owns AlphaTauri, was weighing three options, but made a decision earlier this week.
Ricciardo’s eight-time F1 career will be extended by at least another year.
The Dutch driver replaced Nyck de Vries at the Hungarian Grand Prix this season after failing to impress for Red Bull in the opening ten races of the year.
Ricciardo sees Alfadari as his best route back to Red Bull in 2025 when Sergio Perez, who currently races alongside world champion Max Verstappen, is out of contract.
AlphaTauri is set to race under a new name and in close partnership with Red Bull in 2024, including sharing as much territory as is allowed under the regulations.
Ricciardo is aiming to return to racing at the Qatar Grand Prix in two weeks, but it is still unclear whether he will qualify in time.
Prior to the opportunity at AlphaTauri, Lawson was a reserve driver for Red Bull, which will open for him in 2024.
Speaking at a media day at Suzuka on Thursday, Lawson said: „I wouldn’t be happy to go back to reserve, but I know how difficult it is to get into Formula One.
„I understand that it can be very difficult at times. So what happens, but I don’t think too much about these things.
„I tried to take advantage of it [opportunity].”