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.