Nyck de Vries has parted ways with AlphaTauri after just 10 rounds completed of the 2023 Formula One season.
The Dutch driver has had a massively difficult rookie campaign following his move from Formula E over to Formula 1.
De Vries got an unexpected opportunity in Formula One after a brilliant showing for Williams at Monza last year when he replaced Alex Albon who had to miss the race due to appendicitis. He finished P9 and impressed the paddock.
Unfortunately for the Dutchman, his spell at AlphaTauri has been extremely disappointing.
As well as having an underwhelming package beneath him, De Vries has made several mistakes and had a couple of costly crashes as well.
He’s also lacked pace versus Yuki Tsunoda and lost out 2-8 in the qualifying head-to-head and 0-2 in points. The former Formula E and Formula 2 champion was 20th in points before his sacking.
On his last start before he was dismissed, De Vries finished 17th at Silverstone.
Photo credit: Red Bull Content Pool
While it’s a short-lived spell in F1 for De Vries, the hugely popular Daniel Ricciardo makes his return to the cockpit less than a year after his time at McLaren ended.
The 34-year-old returned to the Red Bull Racing family as a reserve and simulator driver for the team this year. After driving traits that surprised team boss Christian Horner in a negative way early doors, the teams has been impressed by the rate of progress he’s made since then.
The eight-time Grand Prix winner drove for team previously in 2012 and 2013 under the Toro Rosso branding.
Ricciardo will make his return at the Hungarian Grand Prix and has 12 races to impress the AlphaTauri and Red Bull management to show he should have a spot on the grid next year.
The Perth-born driver is currently at Silverstone doing a tyre test for Red Bull Racing today and tomorrow.
Photo credit: Red Bull Content Pool
Franz Tost: “I’m very pleased to welcome Daniel back into the team.”
“There’s no doubt about his driving skill, and he already knows many of us, so his integration will be easy and straight-forward. The team will also profit a lot from his experience, as he is an eight-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner. I would like to thank Nyck for his valuable contribution during his time with Scuderia AlphaTauri, and I wish him all the best for the future.”
Daniel Ricciardo briefly added: “I’m stoked to be back on track with the Red Bull family!”
Christian Horner:“It was great to see Daniel hasn’t lost any form while away from racing and that the strides he has been making in his sim sessions translate on track. His times during the tyre test were extremely competitive. It was a very impressive drive and we are excited to see what the rest of the season brings for Daniel on loan at Scuderia AlphaTauri.”
