AlphaTauri Formula 1 CEO Peter Bayer has warned both Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda they must focus on the “here and now” rather than a promotion to Red Bull.
Sergio Perez’s chances of retaining his Red Bull drive beyond 2024 remain in the balance following a troubled campaign that saw him end up 290 points behind Max Verstappen.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko appeared to increase the pressure on the Mexican’s position late last year by pointing out that AlphaTauri has three drivers within its ranks.
Daniel Ricciardo, a former multiple-time grand prix winner with Red Bull, was handed an F1 reprieve midway through last year when Nyck de Vries, who had been thrashed by Yuki Tsunoda, was axed from AlphaTauri only 10 races into his full rookie F1 season.
However, Ricciardo’s comeback was curtailed when he suffered a broken hand in a crash at Zandvoort, paving the way for Liam Lawson to deputise for five rounds.
Bayer believes that Lawson’s impressive stand-in appearances should stand as a warning to both Ricciardo and Tsunoda to ensure their focus doesn’t drift towards aspirations of earning a chance at Red Bull.
“We, as the Red Bull family, are known for high expectations, and we’re also known for making decisions, even halfway through a season if we have to,” Bayer told Speedcafe.
“There is this push and pull, this synergy, something that works for the team, for the mechanics, for everyone.
“If you do well in the junior team…and we’re always trying to move away from that, to be a proper Formula 1 team, but we have a lot of juniors pushing, like Liam, for example. He did a tremendous job, and it was a very difficult decision.
“So these two guys also know that if things don’t work out, we’ll have Liam waiting. Of course, they also know if they do super well there might be an opportunity.
“So I think that push-and-pull effect should lead to them focusing on the here and now, which I think they do a lot, honestly.”
AlphaTauri’s 2024 driver line-up appeared to be evenly matched upon Ricciardo’s return in Austin, with the duo guiding the team to eighth in the Constructors’ Championship.
As the yet-to-be-rebranded outfit strives for greater progress with closer technical ties to Red Bull, Bayer has stressed the need for both drivers to perform consistently in 2024.
“They will have to show every single race that they’re able to deliver, that they’re fast, dedicated, that they’re on it,” Bayer added.
“It’s down to making sure that they deliver on a daily basis, on a weekly basis, and that when you’re here, you collaborate with the team.
“But it’s important to leave them to it, and I truly believe they are 100 percent focused on the here and now.”
