Liam Lawson and Daniel Ricciardo considered for AlphaTauri’s 2024 season amid team rebranding

Liam Lawson was an injury replacement for Daniel Ricciardo at the 2023 Dutch GP.

Liam Lawson and Daniel Ricciardo considered for AlphaTauri’s 2024 season amid team rebranding

It was announced earlier this year that in the upcoming 2024 Formula 1 season, AlphaTauri will undergo a rebranding. While also forging a more enduring partnership with Red Bull Racing. Formerly known as Toro Rosso, the team transitioned to AlphaTauri in 2020, showcasing Red Bull’s fashion sector. This evolution marks a significant step in their longstanding presence in the racing world.

However, Michael Lamonato has put forward the idea that there is a potential for Liam Lawson and Daniel Ricciardo to team up at AlphaTauri in 2024. Lamonato suggests that leveraging Lawson’s youthfulness and Ricciardo’s market appeal could be a logical step in light of the team’s rebranding direction. The Faenza-based team has already let go of Dutch driver Nyck de Vries, as he couldn’t match Yuki Tsunoda’s caliber.

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Nevertheless, Yuki’s evolution within the team and emerging leadership role indicate that he may have outgrown the requirement for a seasoned co-driver. Liam Lawson is filling in for Daniel Ricciardo, who succumbed to a wrist injury at the 2023 Dutch GP. The young New Zealander finished P13 in his first-ever F1 Grand Prix.

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Also read: George Russell blasts Helmut Marko for brutal treatment of Nyck De Vries

AlphaTauri faces challenges under 2022 regulations

Yuki Tsunoda’s AlphaTauri at the 2023 Spanish GP (Image credit: Pitpass)

AlphaTauri, once a Formula 1 midfield contender, has faced regression due to the 2022 regulations. They are resulting in their current position at the bottom of this year’s championship. The passing of Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz raised doubts about AlphaTauri’s future. However, the current stakeholders have dismissed sale considerations, focusing instead on a strategic overhaul.

Although headquartered in Faenza, Italy, AlphaTauri plans to relocate its existing UK base. This will house the aero team and vehicle performance group to a larger facility. This shift aims to attract experienced senior engineers, as the team has outgrown its current Bicester facility. The motivation behind this transition extends beyond performance enhancements. It seeks to provide an improved working environment for its personnel.

During the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, speculations arose regarding Mintzlaff’s acquisition of a sponsorship deal with Hugo Boss, which would mark their new role as AlphaTauri’s primary sponsor, accompanied by substantial financial backing. This strategic maneuver aligns with Mintzlaff’s mission to establish the team—formerly recognized as Toro Rosso—as financially autonomous.

Amidst this backdrop, Red Bull remains steadfast in its commitment to retain ownership of the team. Helmut Marko, a key figure, unequivocally confirmed that despite reported offers exceeding $1 billion, the energy drink corporation is resolute in disregarding any sale propositions.

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