Change for AlphaTauri: 'Not absolutely' the junior team for Red Bull
In principle, Daniel Ricciardo will make his long-awaited return to AlphaTauri at the United States Grand Prix. After weeks of absence due to a hand fracture, the Australian driver would thus replace Liam Lawson in just under two weeks' time. Ricciardo has already been confirmed by AlphaTauri for the 2024 season. With this, the Italian team is changing course, Peter Bayer (CEO AlphaTauri) confirms.
AlphaTauri (formerly Toro Rosso) was always Red Bull Racing's junior team: the best talents from the Red Bull Junior Team were given the opportunity at AlphaTauri to develop themselves into a Red Bull driver - or for a driver of a team elsewhere on the grid. Max Verstappen is the latest talent to get a highly successful career in F1 this way. But that philosophy of the team is partly going to change, Bayer tells.
'AlphaTauri needs an experienced driver'
"It is, but not absolutely (AlphaTauri being the junior team for Red Bull, ed.)," says the CEO. "I think the reality today is if you're looking at the grid, it's so competitive, it's so tight, that every 10th of a second is being fought for by our colleagues here, and we came to the conclusion that in order to be contenders for the top midfield, we need one experienced driver but we'll continue to grow young talent that ultimately shall end up in Red Bull Racing."
So for young Liam Lawson, there will be no place for a while. After four Grands Prix, the New Zealander will have to settle for a reserve role again. At least, that is the intention, then. AlphaTauri has not (yet) officially announced Ricciardo's return to Austin. But: "That's definitely the plan. He was in the simulator on Monday. And he said that he could, you know, go almost until the end. But it was not 100%," Bayer said.
'AlphaTauri needs éér experienced driver' Ah, really? Haha. I know that it was probably "één" as it is Dutch for "one", but i have no idea how that "r" snuck in there. But yeah, this has been expected now since they confirmed Danny and not chosen for Lawson, the two uncertainties here are Checo and Yuki. What is going to happen to Yuki after 2024, are we ignoring his side because he's definitely going to another team when Honda partners with another team (Alfa, right?), or do people expect him to stay no matter what? I guess Yuki himself doesn't know that yet either, as he claims to be loyal to both. So i guess we'll have to wait, but, it would make sense if he was allowed to go follow Honda so that Lawson will have a seat. Bottas' contract ends in 2024 as well, so unless they kick Zhou out at the end of 2024, it could be possible that there will be a Chinese and Japanese driver at Alfa, which would be kinda fun, as there will also be a Kiwi and Aussie at Alpha, two neighbor teams in 2025. Oh wait, that can only happen if Red Bull keeps Checo after 2024. Anyway, this course change should pay off eventually. Although i could consider drivers to be experienced after their 3rd year in the sport already, but i guess they specifically mean a veteran driver, and i think it makes sense. If the 2 inexperienced drivers don't cut it, then it would make sense to maybe have the veteran to face the weather, taking the hits and criticism, maybe taking the pressure off the rookie. Not every rookie has a supportive entourage like Max and Piastri do, some drivers might need more support from the team, and i guess the team is not capable of delivering that either.
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