Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda will continue their association with the team in the current season, leaving Liam Lawson, who participated in five races last year, without a spot on the roster.
AlphaTauri is embarking on a new chapter, prioritizing performance over its historical role as a breeding ground for talent for its sister team. This shift is driven by the infusion of major US-based sponsors and support from Red Bull, the team’s owner.
The change in focus coincides with a shift in leadership, as former team principal Franz Tost has passed the baton to the duo of Bayer and newly appointed team principal Laurent Mekies.
Bayer highlighted that the stakeholders, in their recalibration, emphasized the vision of creating a more competitive team. Aligning with Franz’s perspective, Bayer asserted that it takes approximately three years for a new driver to fully adapt and prepare for Formula 1, considering the complexity and volume of information involved in the sport.
He elaborated on the intricate nature of Formula 1, emphasizing the substantial amount of information drivers need to process and convey back to the team. This underscores the necessity of ample time for drivers to comprehend the nuances of the sport.
Peter Bayer, CEO of Scuderia AlphaTauri, drew insights from Lawson’s substitute appearance for the injured Ricciardo last year, pointing out the increased radio communication. He suggested that rookies might require more guidance.
Bayer explained the communication dynamics, contrasting the interactions with experienced drivers like Daniel Ricciardo and younger talents. With seasoned campaigners like Daniel, communication is serene and efficient, whereas with novice drivers, instructions follow a more convoluted path.
Acknowledging the need for readiness, Bayer revealed that the team plans to follow the example of rival teams by increasing private running with young drivers using a two-year-old car not subject to current regulations. The team aims to use the 2022 models for test runs, adhering to the present ground effects norms.
Bayer cited the team’s intention to invest a portion of its current earnings into adequately preparing young drivers, taking inspiration from successful programs like Oscar Piastri’s development with Alpine. He expressed the desire to implement a similar preparatory program for drivers like Liam and Isack Hadjar, and potentially Ayumu Iwasa, emphasizing the significance of the ’22 car model in this endeavor.