Last year, the Italian Grand Prix witnessed a stunning debut.
Nyck de Vries was called in as a replacement for Alex Albon, who couldn’t participate due to appendicitis. With limited practice time, De Vries impressed by advancing to Q2 and qualifying 13th, outperforming his teammate Nicholas Latifi. He started the Grand Prix in eighth position due to penalties on the grid.
In the race, De Vries finished ninth, earning his first points in Formula 1. Fans voted him as the Driver of the Day, acknowledging his potential. This promising performance led to him securing a full-time seat at AlphaTauri for the 2023 season.
However, after just ten races and less than a year later, De Vries is unexpectedly out. AlphaTauri and Red Bull announced that Daniel Ricciardo would replace him with immediate effect. While there were rumors of a potential move after the summer break, the suddenness of the decision surprised many.
This turn of events sheds light on the harsh reality of life in F1.
F1 can be unforgiving.
The Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive aptly captures the essence of the sport. With only 20 seats available, drivers must constantly prove their worth. Patience is a luxury in this highly competitive field.
Even a driver like De Vries, with an impressive track record, is not exempt.
Throughout his career, De Vries has tasted success in every level of racing. He won the Formula Renault 2.0 series championship in 2014, dominating the competition. His move to Formula Renault 3.5 resulted in a third-place finish in the standings the following year. In 2019, he clinched the Formula 2 Championship, surpassing other drivers who reached F1 before him.
De Vries then transitioned to Formula E, where he also achieved victory, winning the title in his second season in 2020-2021. After spending one more year in Formula E, finishing ninth in the standings in 2021-2022, he became an F1 reserve driver. Finally, he made his remarkable debut at Monza.
AlphaTauri’s initial announcement of De Vries joining the team generated excitement. Team Principal Franz Tost praised his skills, highlighting his success across various racing categories. It appeared that De Vries had found his rightful place in F1.
Unfortunately, the excitement was short-lived as De Vries’s tenure lasted less than ten races. Despite his impressive resume, AlphaTauri chose to part ways with him rather than giving him more time to prove himself.
It should be noted that there were reservations about De Vries, with even Christian Horner expressing doubts. Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko had also warned him to improve his performance. Various factors beyond De Vries himself may have influenced the decision, such as evaluating Yuki Tsunoda, potentially exerting pressure on Sergio Pérez, or reassessing Daniel Ricciardo. The decision highlights the ruthless and fleeting nature of F1.
This scenario mirrors George Russell’s experience a few years ago. Russell faced an uncertain future during the 2020 season, and there were rumors of his replacement at Williams. However, Williams chose to stick with Russell, who subsequently delivered impressive performances and secured a seat at Mercedes.
In a sport where Red Bull currently holds dominance, they understand the opportunity they have. Finding the right teammate for their star driver Max Verstappen is crucial. While patience may have been warranted for De Vries, F1 rewards boldness and impulsive decision-making. Russell’s story may be an exception, but it is more common to witness drivers like Valtteri Bottas unexpectedly being replaced.
The harsh reality is that F1 can be unforgiving, as Nyck de Vries has now experienced.
