Netflix has released the latest season of ‘Drive to Survive’ and sheds light on the key chat between Christian Horner and Peter Bayer that saw Red Bull sack Nyck de Vries.
The 29-year-old only enjoyed 10 rounds on the grid in 2023 after Red Bull placed De Vries in AlphaTauri for his rookie campaign. But form continually escaped the Dutchman and the axe finally fell after disappointing CEO Bayer, yet again, after finishing the British GP in only P17.
De Vries failed to score a single point through his 10 Grand Prix and two Sprint events racing for AlphaTauri. He was the only driver among the 22 pilots to compete in Formula 1 over the 2023 campaign who failed to clinch one single point. Even though he arrived as a champion.
Red Bull sacked Nyck de Vries after 10 F1 Grand Prix for AlphaTauri
Red Bull decided to sign De Vries to drive for AlphaTauri, who will compete as Visa Cash App RB in 2024, after he excelled during a stand-in drive for Williams at the 2022 Italian GP. Alex Albon developed appendicitis, so De Vries stepped in and also scored points in P9 at Monza.
De Vries also boasted the 2019 FIA Formula 2 title and the 2020/21 Formula E championship on his CV. Yet the Dutchman’s top result at AlphaTauri would be P12 at the Monaco GP. Also, his average finishing position was just 15th over the nine Grand Prix where he did not retire.
‘Drive to Survive’ sheds light on Peter Bayer’s verdict on Nyck de Vries
Now, episode two of the hit Netflix documentary series, ‘Drive to Survive’, has put a light on the crucial chat between Red Bull team principal Horner and AlphaTauri CEO Bayer that saw De Vries lose his seat to Daniel Ricciardo. It followed him only finishing the British GP in P17.
“I think it’s clear that Nyck’s not quite hitting the mark, so…” Horner noted. To which, Bayer responded: “We were hoping that, because he knows the track here, that would give him the confidence. But he seems to struggle.”
The ‘Drive to Survive’ clip covering De Vries’ costly British GP weekend continues as Horner added: “[The] question [is], whether or not we make the change or not. I know it’s harsh but I think he’s had long enough.”
Bayer would simply add, “Yeah, yeah”, before ‘Drive to Survive’ cuts away to Horner phoning Ricciardo ahead of his Pirelli tyre test at Silverstone. The 34-year-old was the team’s reserve driver after McLaren had fired the Australian, and convinced Horner he was ready to return.
His P17 finish at the British GP, therefore, marked De Vries’ farewell to Formula 1 as a rookie for AlphaTauri. He knew the Silverstone circuit well, having lapped the historic track heavily down the years. He also stood on the podium for the Sprint at Silverstone in his F2 title year.
The post ‘We were hoping…’: F1 chief admits 29-y/o driver ‘seems to struggle’ after costly 2023 incident appeared first on F1 Oversteer.
