New Zealand Formula One driver Liam Lawson. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Formula One driver Liam Lawson has missed out on a full-time drive at AlphaTauri next year, with the team confirming on Saturday the New Zealander will be retained as a reserve driver.
Team officials announced Japan's Yuki Tsunoda and Australian Daniel Ricciardo will be their two primary drivers while Lawson will act as a reserve for both AlphaTauri and Red Bull.
There had been speculation Lawson would be promoted to a full-time role at AlphaTauri after impressing in the last three Grands Prix, filling the seat of the injured Ricciardo.
Lawson finished 13th off limited preparation in his debut at the Dutch Grand Prix followed by 11th and ninth placings in Italy and Singapore.
He was also competing at the Japan Grand Prix in Suzuka this weekend as the youngest driver on the grid.
AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost explained why the status quo had been retained for 2024, offering a longer-term glimmer of hope for Lawson.
"Next year, the technical regulations remain largely unchanged," he said in a team statement.
"It was therefore logical to go for continuity in our driver line-up too. I am very pleased with the development that Yuki has shown over the last two and a half years with our team and with Daniel's great race-winning experience we will have one of the most competitive driver pairings on the grid in 2024.
"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 One soon."
Meanwhile, Ricciardo's return to the grid this season may still be some way off as as he continues to recover from a broken hand.
AlphaTauri's chief race engineer Jonathan Eddolls told reporters there was no hurry to get him back, however, with Lawson serving as a stand-in.
"We all saw him (Ricciardo) in Singapore. He's still going through that recovery phase. I'd say we're still talking a while away," he said.
"I wouldn't want to put a target on it. The recovery is going well. We've got some simulator work planned before a return. And I think from our side and his side, there's no rush to get him back too early.
"The worst thing would be to come back before it's properly healed and cause any issues."
- RNZ/Reuters