The drivers who could be candidates for an AlphaTauri seat in 2024

10. This is the number of Grand Prix races Nyck de Vries competed in for AlphaTauri this season before being replaced by Daniel Ricciardo. For someone who had impressed behind the wheel of the Williams at Monza last year, it’s a real setback. But in Formula 1, your seat is constantly ejectable, and if you don’t prove yourself, you risk being shown the door. For next year, AlphaTauri and Red Bull will have choices when it comes to drivers. Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo have already been put on notice.

However, Tsunoda has proven to be solid in this first half of the season. He is the one who brought in the two only points for AlphaTauri this season, which is currently in last position in the constructors’ standings. The Japanese driver makes fewer mistakes and drives better than last year when he was up against Pierre Gasly. These are arguments for him to potentially stay, but will it be enough at the end of this season? Some young talents from the Red Bull program could also be contenders for a seat at AlphaTauri in 2024.

Liam Lawson, the closest contender

3rd in the 2022 Formula 2 championship, Liam Lawson has flown to Japan to compete in the Super Formula, another “stepping stone” to Formula 1. There, the New Zealander is achieving great things with several victories under his belt and is fighting for the title. For the AlphaTauri and Red Bull reserve driver, who has already had a taste of Formula 1, 2024 could be his year to join the pinnacle of motorsport.

Currently, he is perhaps the best positioned of all the Red Bull driver program candidates. He also has the most experience, particularly behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car, even if he has only driven a few times for tests. For now, he must conclude his Super Formula season in the best possible way, trying to win the title. At that point, he will truly become a very serious candidate for an AlphaTauri seat.

On the side of Formula 2, young drivers are ready to seize their chance

In Formula 2, there are a few drivers who could potentially claim a seat at AlphaTauri in 2024. But be aware, there is currently a clear favorite emerging. It’s Ayumu Iwasa. The Japanese driver, currently battling for the championship against Frederik Vesti and Théo Pourchaire, could be a solution. As a young Red Bull protegé, performing well in the junior categories, he ticks all the right boxes to secure a seat at AlphaTauri, much like Yuki Tsunoda when he was recruited. If he manages to clinch the title, he should be considered a very serious contender: it would be a golden opportunity for Red Bull to test a young driver from their program in Formula 1.

But Ayumu Iwasa is not the only one. Isak Hadjar, although still young and lacking experience, could be another contender. It is known that the young Frenchman is closely followed by Helmut Marko, who would like to find him a place in Formula 1 as quickly as possible. However, we must be careful not to rush things for Isak Hadjar.

Other Formula 2 drivers are part of the Red Bull academy, but their performances do not currently allow them to consider moving up. We are talking here about Jack Crawford, Dennis Hauger, Enzo Fittipaldi, and Zane Maloney. Let’s give them time to prove themselves as well. For these drivers, a seat in 2024 seems surreal.

Liam Lawson and Ayumu Iwasa appear to be the two drivers most likely to secure a possible seat at AlphaTauri next year. Both are in the running for the championship in their respective series, and it is based on their performance in securing this title that their future in Formula 1 may be decided. Until then, let’s keep an eye on Yuki Tsunoda’s end of season and Daniel Ricciardo’s return.