2023-09-18 21:12:00
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September 19, 2023 (Fire) 6:12 am
‘Discussions’ regarding AlphaTauri’s full-time driver line-up for 2024 are now ‘in full swing’. New CEO Peter Beyer said this in Singapore as rookie Liam Lawson continued his impressive run in the injured Daniel Ricciardo’s car.
■New CEO: “Lawson was calm and seemed like a veteran.”
The 21-year-old New Zealander has been so impressive since jumping into Ricciardo’s cockpit at Zandvoort that Yuki Tsunoda is likely to be shuffled to Red Bull’s reserve driver next year.
Lawson earned two points at the Singapore Grand Prix and is now just one point behind regular driver Tsunoda in the drivers’ rankings. Ricciardo has yet to score a single point.
But when asked if he had done enough to be told he would stay with the team until 2024, Lawson said Sunday: “Nothing at this stage.” Still, he has clearly impressed the decision-makers at Red Bull and AlphaTauri.
After Lawson dodged a rival approaching from behind, Beyer’s new CEO said excitedly, “I thought his car was twice as wide as the other cars.”
“Liam never lost his cool. He was like a seasoned professional. He fought like a lion.”
■ Representative Christian Horner also said, “It’s very impressive to finish within the points.”
Red Bull boss Christian Horner agrees.
“This was his third race and he raced on a course he had never seen before. He finished in the points, which is very impressive.”
What was also impressive was that Lawson actually criticized himself.
“I have to practice starting, because I lost two positions two times in a row.”
But he claimed he doesn’t know if he’ll be around in 2024.
“Honestly, I have no idea.”
“It’s definitely difficult to get a full-time cockpit in this sport.”
Lawson currently competes full-time in Super Formula in Japan, but his eyes have always been on F1.
“I was promoting myself even before I got into F1,” Lawson said with a smile.
“But now that I’ve been given this opportunity, I want to make the most of it. I have this time frame now, and I feel like I’ve done everything I can in the limited time I have.”
■Is Lawson a strong candidate for next season’s seat? “We’ll know within a few days.”
Many sources believe Ricciardo and Lawson are likely to be in AlphaTauri’s 2024 lineup.
“Talks are in full swing,” new CEO Peter Bayer confirmed to Servus TV.
“Liam did what he had to do and we will know in the next few days who will be in the car next year.”
“But Daniel will definitely be back in his car and Liam wants to finish the Super Formula season in Japan.”
Discussions regarding next season’s driver lineup seem to be in full swing, and we are looking forward to Yuki Tsunoda’s success in the F1 Japan GP following two consecutive races of bad luck.
Previous and next articles
AlphaTauri F1’s new CEO: “Ricciardo won’t come to Suzuka” Lawson: “I can’t say anything regarding next season yet. I’ll make the most of the opportunity I finally got” Former F1 driver: “Lawson will be offered a seat next season”
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