Max Verstappen has called Nick de Vries, who has decided to join Scuderia AlphaTauri for 2023, to Helmut Marko, motorsport adviser to Red Bull F1, after a stunning F1 debut at the Italian Grand Prix. He said he advised him to call.
Nick de Vries has been courted by many F1 teams after finishing ninth in a one-off appearance for Williams to replace Alexander Albon, who had appendicitis.
Red Bull eventually secured a deal for Nick de Vries, placing him at Scuderia AlphaTauri for 2023, allowing Pierre Gasly to move to the Alpine F1 team.
2022 F1 Japan GP pole sitter Max Verstappen said earlier in the weekend that he knew Nick de Vries would drive for Scuderia AlphaTauri in 2023, to realize the transfer. revealed the role he played.
Asked if he was involved in Nick de Vries’ AlphaTauri deal, Verstappen said: “Of course. I already knew it was going to be announced.”
“Of course it’s incredible for him. He’s been working hard for it for a long time and it’s great for him to finally get the opportunity.”
“But after Monza, I don’t think there was any real discussion anymore.”
“Helmut is such a daring guy to put him (De Vries) in the car if he likes it, while other teams are a little more cautious.”
“That’s good news. We’re good friends. We had dinner the day after Monza and I said to him, ‘Call me.’ You never know what might happen.”
“It was also the right time to call him, because Helmut would still be excited for Monday from Sunday’s race.”
“It went really well and I’m happy for him.”
When De Vries joins the F1 grid next year, it will be the first time two full-time Dutch drivers will be on the grid since Robert Doornbos and Christian Albers raced together at the end of 2005 and 2006. .
Category: F1 / Max Verstappen / red bull / Alpha Tauri / Nick de Vries