Daniel Ricciardo sees a major change in mentality at AlphaTauri

AlphaTauri had a very eventful season. In 2024, the Italian team ran four different drivers. The rookie Nick de Vries was not kept for more than six months as a regular, before being replaced by Daniel Ricciardo. Liam Lawson also participated in several Grand Prix when the Australian was injured.

In addition to these recurring changes, AlphaTauri also had an emotional end to the season, moving from 10th and last to 8th place constructor. The Italian team brought valuable evolutions, drastically increasing the single-seater’s pace. At the United States Grand Prix, Yuki Tsunoda managed to take the best race time and then a few days later, in Mexico, it was Daniel Ricciardo who had his moment of glory. The Australian driver started in the 2nd row, before finishing 7th.

Major changes during the summer

The tangent taken by AlphaTauri in 2023 is not only visible in the car’s performances. Daniel Ricciardo who returned to the Italian team during the Hungarian GP noticed major changes. « I feel a change, even though I joined the team roughly mid-season », Daniel Ricciardo explained at a press briefing. « I feel like they want to stand out from this sort of junior team and they want to start showing up a bit more. There is certainly an element of the style: “Let’s step things up”. »

With these changes in mentality, the former McLaren driver is confident for the next season. After only a few races, Daniel Ricciardo’s contract has been extended for the 2024 season with AlphaTauri. His experience and results have convinced the leaders. « Even during the last weekends and after scoring a few points, it was as if the team needed it to continue to grow. I expect this to continue next year, and I hope we will be fast. We no longer talk about a back-of-the-grid team and I am confident we can do it. »

Ricciardo already looking towards 2024

Daniel Ricciardo’s season was peculiar. After leaving McLaren at the end of 2022, the 33-year-old driver returned to Red Bull as a reserve. After a few unconvincing races from Nick de Vries, AlphaTauri decided to offer a contract to Daniel Ricciardo for the end of the season. After two short races, the Australian fractured his hand, missing the period from late August to mid-October.

Despite this erratic return, his performances allowed him to stay ahead of Liam Lawson, despite great performances, and thus to be extended for an additional season. « I am really in a good position so my off-season will not be too long because I have been absent, so I am looking forward to perhaps having a bit of free time, but training hard and starting the new season strong », added the former Renault driver.

A significant partnership with Red Bull?

AlphaTauri and Red Bull could strengthen their ties for the next season. If for several seasons, the Italian garage seemed like a stable where the Austrian program’s drivers were cutting their teeth, 2024 could mark a turning point. The extension of two experienced drivers at the expense of a rookie shows the desire to progress.

Several rumors also mentioned the possibility that AlphaTauri could recover a large part of the RB19 for the following season. Although Christian Horner asserted that « there would not be a second pink Mercedes », some parts could be common. The successor to Franz Tost could give new directives in the direction of this partnership.