The 2024 season is set to be exciting, with each team striving to close the gap to Red Bull in the coming year. In the following weeks, we will continue to discuss what you can expect from each team for the next season. Today, we look at Alpha Tauri.
The team had a challenging year, finishing the 2023 Formula 1 season in eighth place with 25 points. Ten races into the season, we saw rookie Nyck De Vries replaced with six-time Formula One race winner Daniel Ricciardo, a decision that surprised many. As the 2024 season begins, Franz Toast has retired after serving as team principal for 18 years. Laurent Mekies will be resuming the position of team principal, while Peter Bayer has joined the team as Chief Executive Officer. Additionally, the team will undergo a name change before the start of the 2024 season.
“The identity will be generic. The identity is what Toro Rosso would have been, and it’s moving closer to the Red Bull family again. But then it will appear with the naming rights partners.”
Chief Executive Officer, Peter Bayer
The Drivers
Daniel Ricciardo: Riccardo will continue with the team next season. During the 2023 season, the Australian accumulated six points for the team and finished 17 overall in the drivers’ championship.
Yuki Tsunoda: Tsunoda will return for his fourth season with the team, bringing in 17 points forthe 2023 season. He placed 14th in the driver’s championship, three places higher than his previous season.
Liam Lawson: Lawson will continue as a reserve driver in 2024, marking his third year in this role. The New Zealander gained experience during the 2023 season, driving for Daniel Riccardo following his mid-season injury. Lawson made his racing debut placing thirteenth at the Dutch Grand Prix, notably outperforming his teammate, Yuki Tsunoda. He went on to finish eleventh in the Italian Grand Prix and ninth in the Singapore Grand Prix, where he collected his maiden Formula One points.
“As for Liam, who has impressed everyone in his races so far, he will definitely help the team in his development role as a third driver, and I’m sure he will have a future in Formula 1 soon.”
Former Alpha Tauri team principal, Franz Tost
Team Principal
Laurent Mekies: Mekies will begin his first year as a team principal in 2024 following the retirement of Franz Tost at the end of 2023. Mekies brings a wealth of knowledge and experienceto the team. He is the former sporting director of Ferrari and has also worked at the FIA as Safety Director and Deputy Race Director.
Mekies shared on his LinkedIn:
“…A new adventure starts now, and it is with a great sense of gratefulness that I go from a very special racing family to another very special racing family. We are embarking on an exciting journey, a new chapter for us to write all together, and I can’t wait to work alongside the talented people in Faenza and in Bicester.”
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