Daniel Ricciardo made a shock return to the System 1 grid, taking a seat at AlphaTauri midseason.
Now he could also be in line for a fulltime seat with AlphaTauri for 2024, in line with Dr. Helmut Marko.
The Pink Bull advisor mentioned as a lot in a latest interview with German outlet Motorsport-Magazin. Providing his first evaluation of Riccardo’s return, Marko opened up about how the veteran driver has modified the temper at AlphaTauri, and put himself in place for a fulltime seat with the workforce for 2024.
“The change has had a really optimistic impact, by way of temper and motivation within the AlphaTauri workforce,” mentioned Marko. “Whereas the hole of De Vries was on common three to 5 tenths, Ricciardo, for those who modify for all that, is considerably much less, if not on par with [Yuki] Tsunoda.”
“We now have 9 races left; in these 9 races we are going to watch the way it develops. Tsunoda had an excellent race in Spa, possibly within the center sector when it was raining a bit an excessive amount of, possibly he may have had a greater outcome,” added Marko. “Daniel was not far-off from factors within the dash. This path suits.”
As for 2024, whereas Ricciardo’s said purpose is the “fairytale” return to Pink Bull, Marko believes that AlphaTauri is a extra possible dwelling, so far as subsequent season is worried.
“We all know his objectives, however the best way to obtain them, whether or not he is able to do a full yr at AlphaTauri subsequent yr with full dedication,” added Marko.
After all, the workforce does have choices for 2024 past Ricciardo. Yuki Tsunoda is beneath contract by means of the 2023 season, however has possible earned an extension given his efficiency up to now. Pink Bull junior driver Liam Lawson is, in line with Marko, another choice as properly for the workforce.
“Yuki Tsunoda has steadily improved in and of himself, has his feelings beneath management for probably the most half, is now additionally conditionally able to driving by means of a GP,” mentioned Marko. “We now have alternate options, for instance [Liam] Lawson, who’s second in Japan and could be very profitable there and has made a giant leap ahead in his entire growth since he’s been driving in Japan.”
Nonetheless, if Ricciardo certainly needs that fairytale ending, with Sergio Pérez beneath contract with Pink Bull by means of at the very least 2024, proving himself yet one more yr with AlphaTauri is likely to be his most suitable choice.
Now we are going to see if, as Marko wonders, he’s prepared for the “full dedication.”