F1 News: 3 Unconfirmed Seats Remain For 2024 As Contract Concerns Rise
With just eight races left of the 2023 season, concerns are rising for the drivers who face expiring contracts. Yuki Tsunoda, Daniel Ricciardo, and Logan Sargeant all have contracts which are due to expire at the end of the season.
On top of this, there is the question of Liam Lawson who has been presented with a huge opportunity to fast-track his way onto the Formula One grid as he continues to impress whilst standing in for injured Daniel Ricciardo.
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Yuki Tsunoda
Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda faces uncertainty as his stint with AlphaTauri winds down this season. Since his debut in 2021, he's showcased remarkable prowess and has been proving himself as a lead driver during 2023.
Tsunoda has dealt with multiple team changes this season starting with Nyck de Vries who was dropped after just ten races of his rookie season and replaced by Daniel Ricciardo with immediate effect.
With the other recent events, including Ricciardo's unfortunate crash during the Dutch Grand Prix, Tsunoda witnessed another partner swap - this time with Red Bull's reserve driver Liam Lawson.
A significant variable in Tsunoda's F1 trajectory is his association with Honda. As Honda seals its future alliance with Aston Martin in 2026, Tsunoda's alignment with AlphaTauri raises brows and instigates questions.
Daniel Ricciardo
Daniel Ricciardo also stands at a crossroads. Though his return to replace de Vries was welcomed by fans, his position for 2024 is yet to be confirmed.
The Australian driver has been open with his desire to end his career with the Red Bull family. However, with just two races since his comeback and a recent injury setback, Ricciardo's 2024 roadmap looks hazy.
Logan Sargeant
Embarking on his F1 debut with the iconic British team, Williams, Logan Sargeant's journey hasn't been stellar. Scoring no points yet, he finds himself in a difficult position.
James Vowles, the new Williams team chief, while backing Sargeant also acknowledged that it is an extremely competitive sport with many drivers queueing up for seats.
Rumours To Look Out For
AlphaTauri:
There have been multiple rumours surrounding the two AlphaTauri seats, however, the main one which seems to be the most discussed is that the Italian team will run with Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson in 2024, the latter of which has impressed with his first two races.
There are further rumours that Red Bull will keep Tsunoda on, but as a reserve driver.
Williams
Although it is widely considered that Sargeant will be given another year to prove himself with Williams, there are rumours that Mick Schumacher will join the team to drive alongside Alex Albon.
Schumacher lost his seat with Haas at the end of 2022 and has been with Mercedes as a reserve driver since.