Pressure piled onto AlphaTauri as Daniel Ricciardo 2024 decision looms
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Lawson will race instead of the injured Ricciardo for the fourth time at this weekend’s F1 Japanese Grand Prix.Ricciardo’s injury – plus his status as a replacement for Nyck de Vries this season, and his contract which only lasts until the end of this season – means he’s got a fight on his hands to keep the AlphaTauri drive next year.Lawson vowed to Sky: “For sure, I’ve got more. I’m doing everything I can to show everything I can when I’m driving.“To drive these cars, to make this step in F1, it takes time. And I obviously don’t have the time that most other people get.“If I had a whole season in Formula 1, I’m going to be a lot better-off than I am now.“But at the same time, because I know that I’ve got these few races, I’m trying to make the most of them.”He was asked if the door was open to a full-time stay at AlphaTauri next year, and emotionally replied: “I really have no idea. I don’t know.”Related ‘Unlikely’ Williams will take Lawson for just one year – Horner AlphaTauri officially announce Tsunoda, Ricciardo for 2024
Yuki Tsunoda will reportedly be tied down to a new contract, due to be announced in Japan this weekend, meaning Red Bull must decide between Ricciardo or Lawson for their sister team’s other seat.Ricciardo is widely expected to get the nod although his ongoing recovery from an injury sustained at Zandvoort, coupled with Lawson’s impressive performances, complicates the matter.“However long this lasts, I want to get to the end of it, look back and know that I did absolutely everything that I could,” Lawson said.“I would hate to look back and there’s something more that I could have done.“I either put too much pressure on myself or did something that affected it…“I want to basically do everything I can because I know this is all I’ll be judged on now.”Spots in the 2024 F1 driver line-up are drying up – there might be an opening at Williams if they lose faith in Logan Sargeant – so Lawson could still catch the eye.He said: “I want a season in Formula 1. But where that will be?“My journey has been with Red Bull for the last five years. Right now that’s where I’m looking. All I’ve ever looked at joining is with Red Bull. Right now that’s still what I’m trying to achieve.”
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