The rumors are over and Daniel Ricciardo will not go to Red Bull in 2024 instead of Sergio Perez As some suggested, the Australian has been confirmed to compete in the upcoming season of Formula 1 but he will do it with the AlphaTauri team.
During Japan's Saturday morning, AlphaTauri has confirmed its driver line-up for next year with the Australian Daniel Ricciardo and the Japanese Yuki Tsunodathus ending several speculations.
Ricciardo, who is not competing after his accident in the Dutch Grand Prix caused a fracture that has made it impossible for him to be present in Zandvoort, Italy, Singapore and now in Suzuka, he has his place secured for 2024 in what will be his full-time return after in 2023 he took a reserve driver seat after having been fired from McLaren.
“I am excited to compete alongside Yki Tsunoda again next year and to be part of AlphaTauri. With the progress made and the plans for the future, it is an important moment for the team because we are building. “We are going in the right direction, but there is still a lot to do,” said Ricciardo in the press release sent by the Faenza house.
Some characters from the paddock, among which was Ralf Schumacherbrother of the seven-time world champion Michael Schumacherthey had pointed out that Czech Perez He would be fired at the end of 2023 to make way for Ricciardo to return as Max Verstappen's partner. Christian Horner, director of the Milton Keynes team, has denied this situation on several occasions, ensuring that the contract with the Mexican until 2024 will be respected.
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Franz Tost, who will leave his position as director of the AphaTauri team at the end of the 2023 season to make way for Laurent Mekies, who was previously part of Ferrari, indicated that the duo that the new board will inherit is competitive.
“They will have a great partner to start the new campaign on the right path,” Tost said.
The renewal of Ricciardo and Tsunoda, who will face his fourth season in F1 in 2024, leaves the New Zealander Liam Lawson, Ricciardo's current replacement and who had stated in recent days that it would be difficult to resume a reserve role after having competed in the highest category.
Lawson scored his first points in the past Singapore Grand Prixr.
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