Formula One 2023: Daniel Ricciardo will partner Yuki Tsunoda at AlphaTauri in 2024

After joining AlphaTauri midway through the 2023 F1 season and being sidelined with a broken hand, Daniel Ricciardo has learned his fate for next year.

Daniel Ricciardo. Picture: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images

Daniel Ricciardo’s full time Formula One return is on.

The Aussie F1 star will partner Yuki Tsunoda at AlphaTauri next season.

The team announced its 2024 driver pairing on Saturday, ending speculation boom rookie replacement Liam Lawson could swoop in to snatch a seat.

Ricciardo, 34, was installed as failed rookie Nick De Vries’ replacement ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix earlier this year.

Daniel Ricciardo will drive for AlphaTauri in 2024. Picture: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images

After performing admirably in his first two race starts with AT, Ricciardo crashed out of the Dutch Grand Prix last month and was subsequently sidelined with a broken hand.

Highly-touted New Zealand rookie Lawson has filled the void for the past three races and most recently impressed with a ninth-place finish in Singapore.

His stellar F1 start had raised questions over whether AT would stick with Ricciardo and Tsunoda, or look to replace one with the impressive Lawson.

But Red Bull’s sister team has stuck fat with its starting driver pairing for next season.

“I’m stoked to be driving with Yuki again next year and continuing the journey with Scuderia AlphaTauri,” Ricciardo said.

“Following the progress we have already made and the plans for the future, it’s an exciting time for the team. We are building and it is a great feeling. There is a lot of work to do, but we are heading in the right direction and there is a lot to look forward to.”

New Zealand rookie Liam Lawson will remain the reserve driver for AlphaTauri and Red Bull. Picture: Ben Stansall / AFP

Lawson will again sit in for Ricciardo at the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend and AT confirmed the Aussie was unlikely to be fit to race in Qatar next month.

But there is hope Ricciardo will return to his seat before the end of the 2023 F1 season.

The West Australian’s contract news comes just days after fellow Aussie Oscar Piastri signed a three-year extension with McLaren.

It confirms two Aussies will start on the 20-man grid in 2024.

Lawson will remain in the reserve driver role for both AlphaTauri and Red Bull.

However, the Kiwi could still be considered for a 2024 Williams seat alongside Alex Albon, given Logan Sargeant’s poor rookie season.