Nyck de Vries was abruptly removed from his AlphaTauri seat by Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko just 10 races into his first season, failing to match his team-mate Yuki Tsunoda’s performance.
AlphaTauri turned to Red Bull’s third driver, Ricciardo, to replace the Dutch driver. The Australian has been loaned to the Faenza team after showcasing impressive skills during a Pirelli test at Silverstone.
After his removal, de Vries maintained a period of silence, but eight days post-dismissal, he shared a statement on social media regarding the loss of his F1 position.
He expressed gratitude to Red Bull and AlphaTauri for the F1 opportunity but also voiced his dismay at being unable to complete even half a season.
“Quick message from me… Following recent occurrences, I chose to take a personal hiatus from social media, which I will carry on,” de Vries posted on Instagram.
“I extend my thanks to Red Bull and Scuderia AlphaTauri for enabling me to realize my dream. It undoubtedly stings that the F1 opportunity I longed for concluded prematurely.
“However, life isn’t a final goal, it’s a voyage, and occasionally the challenging route is necessary to reach your desires.
“I am thankful for our fortunate lives, our journey, and my family. This is simply another episode; we press on and eagerly anticipate the next phase.
“Appreciation to everyone for your compassionate and motivational messages over the last week. Your support has been tremendously comforting.”
Nyck de Vries, AlphaTauri AT04
Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / F1 Flow Images
Last week, Marko elucidated his decision, saying he observed “no progress” from 28-year-old de Vries, who was projected to equal Tsunoda immediately due to his championship status in F2 and Formula E.
“Nyck was contracted because of his excellent performance at Monza the previous year,” Marko revealed to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.
“He was anticipated to match Tsunoda this year, but this expectation was not met. In fact, he consistently lagged behind Yuki by three-tenths. We saw no improvement.
“Something needed to change. Why delay, and why should two additional races matter if there’s no visible improvement? Nyck is a pleasant individual, but the speed simply wasn’t there.”
Ricciardo will debut with AlphaTauri in the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix, after half a season as Red Bull’s third driver following his departure from McLaren at the close of 2022.
The 34-year-old Australian expressed his enthusiasm to return to F1 after a hiatus post his demanding two-year term at McLaren.
“It was an absolute certainty that I would accept,” Ricciardo told F1 last week.
“After a few simulation sessions, I began to feel like my old self. This brought me back to my regular Daniel, where I was regaining my passion and felt ready to compete again.”
Also read:
Vettel: Dismissal of de Vries from F1 was “severe” and “ruthless”
Marko: No justification to postpone dropping de Vries from AlphaTauri F1 team
Why Red Bull’s patience ran out with de Vries amid Ricciardo’s resurgence
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Nyck de Vries F1 exit
Why was Nyck de Vries removed from AlphaTauri?
De Vries was removed from AlphaTauri due to his failure to match the performance of his teammate Yuki Tsunoda. The decision was made by Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko.
Who is replacing Nyck de Vries in AlphaTauri?
Red Bull’s third driver, Daniel Ricciardo, is set to replace Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri. The Australian has been loaned to the Faenza team following his impressive performance in a Pirelli test at Silverstone.
What was Nyck de Vries’s response to his dismissal from AlphaTauri?
De Vries expressed his disappointment at his early termination from AlphaTauri, but also expressed gratitude to Red Bull and AlphaTauri for the opportunity. He mentioned that he is looking forward to the next chapter of his journey.
What was the reason given by Helmut Marko for Nyck de Vries’s dismissal?
Helmut Marko explained that there was “no improvement” from de Vries, who was consistently slower than his teammate Yuki Tsunoda. Marko decided to take action as he saw no point in waiting when there were no signs of progress.
How does Daniel Ricciardo feel about replacing Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri?
Daniel Ricciardo is excited about his F1 comeback after a hiatus. He mentioned feeling like his old self after a few simulation sessions, and is ready to compete again.
More about Nyck de Vries F1 exit
- Nyck de Vries’ F1 Career
- AlphaTauri F1 Team
- Daniel Ricciardo’s Career
- Formula 1 News
- Helmut Marko’s Role in Red Bull
- F1 Grand Prix Updates
5 comments
It’s a tough sport! No room for sympathy, gotta be ruthless. Good luck to Ricciardo!
Man, tough luck for de Vries! Just 10 grands prix in and they replace him. But Ricciardo’s return is exciting!! Can’t wait to see him back in action.
thats just how it goes in F1, survival of the fittest… or should I say fastest? 😛
feel bad for de Vries, he deserved more of a shot. Ricciardo better step up, he’s got big shoes to fill.
Hard on De Vries, yes. But let’s be real, Ricciardo is a seasoned player. Exciting times ahead!