SINGAPORE: Yuki Tsunoda, the standout performer of AlphaTauri’s 2023 season, could discover himself within the function of Crimson Bull’s reserve driver for the upcoming 2024 season. This potential shift comes because of a fancy driver dilemma dealing with each Crimson Bull and AlphaTauri.
Tsunoda’s stellar efficiency this yr, securing all three of AlphaTauri’s factors finishes in Australia, Azerbaijan, and Belgium, initially pointed to a continuation of his partnership with Daniel Ricciardo for the subsequent season.
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Nevertheless, Ricciardo’s latest hand harm throughout a apply crash on the Dutch Grand Prix led to the emergence of Liam Lawson, a promising expertise from Crimson Bull’s esteemed driver academy.
Lawson’s spectacular showings at Zandvoort and Monza have thrown a curveball into the motive force lineup resolution. Hypothesis is rife that AlphaTauri would possibly choose to retain the New Zealander alongside Ricciardo, leaving Tsunoda with out a race seat.
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In accordance with studies, Tsunoda might transition into the reserve function beforehand held by Alex Albon. Whereas there are not any concrete indications of Tsunoda being thought of for a promotion to the principle crew sooner or later, he might function an “appeasing selection” for Crimson Bull’s longstanding engine accomplice, Honda.
With Honda’s announcement of an engine partnership with Aston Martin slated for the 2026 season, Tsunoda’s future might probably be with the Silverstone-based crew.
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Indicators of Tsunoda’s potential redirection have been obvious forward of the 2023 season when Nyck de Vries was the only AlphaTauri driver to bear a seat becoming for Crimson Bull, hinting at his candidacy to step in if Verstappen or Perez have been unable to race.
In a separate report, Ricciardo stays “assured” of securing a full-time drive with AlphaTauri for the subsequent season and aspires to probably change Perez at Crimson Bull by the top of 2024.
Inspired by AlphaTauri’s plans for nearer ties with Crimson Bull, Ricciardo, although recovering from his harm, is eager for a profitable comeback.
As Ricciardo is scheduled to return no sooner than the Qatar Grand Prix subsequent month, Lawson is ready to have two extra races in Singapore and Japan to solidify his case.
Earlier than his AlphaTauri stint, Lawson had been competing within the Japanese-based Tremendous System class in 2023, and he stays in competition for the title with one spherical left, culminating at Suzuka on October 29, coinciding with F1’s Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix on the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
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