AlphaTauri has been left in the dust as they try to find their way back. So far into the season, the team has 4 drivers with only 3 points to their team. The Red Bull’s sister team first started off with Yuki Tsunoda and Nych de Vries as their drivers. Nonetheless, the team soon started finding themselves struggling out in the open fields. Yuki was the only one who would get the team some points by finishing 10th thrice. And soon enough Nyck de Vries was replaced by Daniel Ricciardo.
However, according to the latest updates, AlphaTauri might be saying goodbye to Yuki Tsunoda soon. Nate Saunders, an F1 journalist, confessed on Unlapped Podcast that there are talks of Liam Lawson “auditioning” for Tsunoda’s seat. Not too long ago, Tsunoda received a green flag from his team boss making him believe his seat for 2024 was reserved. However, AlphaTauri has confirmed only Daniel Ricciardo’s stay in 2024. Nonetheless, this opens up many situations and possibilities of Red Bull’s plans for both their teams.
🚨 As per @natesaundersF1, Daniel Ricciardo is pretty likely to stay at AlphaTauri in 2024
In the current situation Liam Lawson is potentially auditioning for Yuki Tsunoda’s seat for next year
[ESPN Unlapped Podcast] #F1 pic.twitter.com/Qf1xiFPKh1
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) September 7, 2023
While Ricciardo has placed another year with AlphaTauri, Tsunoda has yet more to compete to secure his seat. The Japanese driver has been the only one to get the team some points this season. Even so, the team plans on bringing someone else to the team and the chances are it could be Liam Lawson. Although Yuki has brought the team points, Lawson has been the one to finish in front of Tsunoda at each race. Lawson substitutes for Ricciardo after his wrist injury and is now in his debuting season of Formula 1.
Daniel Ricciardo & other F1 options for Red Bull in 2024
With the changes at AlphaTauri, it is only fair to believe that Red Bull will be seeing changes in their drivers too. While there is no doubt that Max Verstappen will be at the Bulls, Sergio Perez has his seat in danger. Perez was first targetted after Ricciardo’s return but with one more year at AlphaTauri, it is guaranteed Ricciardo might not be the one to go to Red Bull after all. However, Perez’s contract ends in 2025. This leaves Red Bull’s seat completely open for the Australian.
However, with Yuki’s seat up for “audition”, it is difficult to say who might stay in F1. It is also a possibility that Tsunoda might see a promotion to Red Bull which will give Lawson another season with AlphaTauri.
🗣️ | Helmut Marko on Liam Lawson’s recent performance and possible full-time contract driving for AlphaTauri
“Liam has been with us for a while. He is a tough but very smart man in a fight, a bit like Bruce McLaren. This is certainly someone for the future
The speed was there… pic.twitter.com/X8DhZKYyUH
— RBR News 🇳🇱🇲🇽 (@redbulletin) September 6, 2023
With Red Bull confessing all their focus is on the sister team, it is possible to see another team as fast as Red Bull. However, it cannot be confirmed who might stay at Red Bull or AlphaTauri. Although Horner has confessed they plan on keeping Perez in 2024, Ricciardo’s return signifies otherwise.
Needless to say, Tsunoda has more to prove against the rookie. Considering the Japanese driver will have his seat up for auction against a rookie, he might have to finish in front of him first. All the while, Ricciardo will be joining the team in 2024. After his wrist injury, it was confirmed that he may not return to the tracks in Singapore or Japan. This will leave Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson’s performance to be compared.