Herbert questioned AlphaTauri’s Ricciardo-Lawson decision The three-time Grand Prix winner believes the wrong decision was made for 2024.
Johnny Herbert has expressed doubt over AlphaTaur’s decision to retain Daniel Ricciardo for 2024 and not promote Liam Lawson to race seat. Lawson has stood in for Ricciardo since the Dutch GP, where the Australian broke his arm in a practice crash, and has been widely praised for his efforts. His four finishes to date are 13th, 11th, 9th and 11th, with his first Grand Prix points secured in Singapore, the first time he had ever driven at the circuit.
New Zealander Lawson will continue with Yuki Tsunoda at the Qatar GP, but will make way for Ricciardo if he is fit and for the 2024 season, when Tsunoda-Ricciardo will be confirmed as the driving pair next season. On the eve of the Japanese GP. That leaves the second Williams seat as Lawson’s only possible route to a full-time 2024 grid, with Logan Sargeant’s future as a three-time Grand Prix winner uncertain and 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Herbert uncertain about Ricciardo’s fitness.
Herbert questioned Lawson’s decision “I was impressed with what I saw from Liam Lawson as he was able to adapt to the Formula 1 bubble in a very short time,” Herbert wrote for Motor Sport magazine. “I like that ability to jump in and get the job done right away. It’s a very rare occasion when someone takes a car and does what we really expect them to do.”
Lawson showed speed when the pressure works as he drove it to prove that he is worth riding. He didn’t have the luxury of settling down. “Singapore is, according to most riders, the toughest track on the calendar, both physically and mentally. He was very impressive and scored his first points in his third Grand Prix.
“Teammate Yuki Tsunoda also did a good job – but I feel me Liam already rules in AlphaTauri has taken over. For me, he won a place for 2024. “I do not agree with AlphaTaur’s decision to bring Daniel Ricciardo back for next year. me “Is he the future? No, Liam is the future. “I understand that Daniel didn’t get into it until he broke [his arm] at Zandvoort, but there was no ‘wow’ factor when he came back. “I’d say it was with Liam.
There’s something about him that feels pretty special. “I think it should have been a Lawson/Tsunoda lineup at AlphaTaur next year. At the end of the day, this is a junior team designed to bring [through] young talent.”
