While Formula 1 is preparing to leave for Singapore negotiations continue to decide the 2023 line-ups. The biggest knot to untie is the one linked to the second seat of the Alpine, bequeathed by Fernando Alonso which next year will race in the colors of Aston Martin. One of the teams most involved in this step is Alpha Tauri is should release Pierre Gasly who, however, will not take part in the "tests" organized by Alpine. Furthermore, to free Pierre, he would first have to enlist the services of another pilot and, discarding Colton Herta, the most prominent name in recent days is that of Nyck de vries. But while waiting to unravel this knot, the Faenza team took advantage of this last week of break to announce the first official rider of the 2023 season.
Yuki Tsunoda will stay for his 3rd year
AlphaTauri has confirmed that Yuki Tsunoda will remain with the team for the 2023 season, the third in the Faenza team. The Japanese rider who arrived in 2021 has collected 43 points in these two years with AlphaTauri, and despite the ups and downs this season, such as the scandal of the Virtual in the Netherlands and the constant reprimands, despite also the controversy about the need according to Helmut Marko to send him to a psychologist as a sort of "cure" for his too much vehemence, the team decided to continue the journey together with Yuki. There are few seats in F1 and never like this year have we had confirmation of it. We need results, and not getting them can lead to the same decision from the McLaren he dumped Daniel Ricciardo, betting everything on Oscar Piastri for 2023.
"I want to say a huge thank you to Red Bull, Honda and Scuderia AlphaTauri for continuing to give me the opportunity to drive in F1. – said Tsunoda commenting on the renewal. “Having moved to Italy last year, to be closer to the factory, I really feel part of the team and am delighted to be able to continue racing with them in 2023. Of course, our 2022 season is not over yet and we are still pushing a lot in the fight in the middle of the table, so I'm fully focused on finishing on top and then we'll look to next year."

The words of the AlphaTauri
The AlphaTauri team principal also expressed his opinion on the renewal of Tsunoda, Franz Tost: "As we have seen since he joined us last year, Yuki is a very talented rider and has improved a lot this season. The pace he has shown recently is clear evidence of a steep learning curve, which proves he deserves a place in F1, and I still expect some strong results from him in the last six races of 2022. As I always say, a driver needs at least three years to get familiar with Formula 1, so I'm glad he's been given enough time to show his full potential."
"Furthermore, it is a testament to Dr. Marko and his driver program that we are able to nurture these young talents from the youth categories and develop them. I would like to join Yuki in thanking Red Bull and AlphaTauri, as well as Honda, for their continued support and for allowing him to stay with us for another year."
There is still a seat to be occupied in the AlphaTauri house, the least obvious one. We'll see if the announcement arrives during the weekend in Singapore, i.e. in early October, or if we have to wait a little longer.
Source statements: f1.com