AlphaTauri have retained Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda for the 2024 season with both drivers signing new one-year extensions with the team. This news means that Mick Schumacher has just one shot remaining at returning to the F1 grid in 2024.
The Faenza-based outfit have been at the centre of plenty of speculation surrounding their driver line-up thanks to the performances of Liam Lawson, who has been standing in for the Ricciardo since the Aussie picked up a hand injury in Zandvoort.
Lawson has made a massive impression in his blossoming F1 career to date, following up strong performances in the Netherlands and at Monza with his first points and the team’s best finish of the season in Singapore last time out.
Despite these performances, AlphaTauri have opted for the experience of Ricciardo as Peter Bayer and the rest of the new hierarchy look ahead towards a major rebuild. The Italian team are languishing at the bottom of the championship in 2023.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive F1 news.
Speaking about the new deal. Ricciardo said: “I’m stoked to be driving with Yuki again next year and continuing the journey with Scuderia AlphaTauri. Following the progress we have already made and the plans for the future, it’s an exciting time for the Team.
“We are building and it is a great feeling. There is a lot of work to do, but we are heading in the right direction and there is a lot to look forward to. Bring on 2024!”
While this news will come as a relief to both Tsunoda and Ricciardo, it spells danger for Schumacher who is watching opportunities to return to the F1 grid for the 2024 campaign and beyond dry up in front of his eyes.
The 24-year-old has targeted the seats at AlphaTauri, Alfa Romeo and Williams as he looks to revive his F1 career, and with the former two teams announcing their line-ups for next year, Logan Sargeant’s seat at Williams is now his only hope.
However, it looks like Schumacher’s motorsport career could be heading in a different direction. The former Haas driver has been in talks with Alpine about joining their World Endurance Championship program.
Speaking about the rumours regarding a test session for Schumacher, Alpine boss Bruno Famin said: “It’s true that we’re talking with Mick about the possibility of racing in our endurance programme with the A424. It would be a good opportunity for both parties but for the time being, we’re just talking. Hopefully, we will organise a test soon.”
