De Vries was axed by AlphaTauri in favour of Daniel Ricciardo forward of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix after failing to attain some extent within the opening 10 races of the 12 months.
And though AlphaTauri accepts that de Vries confronted troublesome circumstances, being a rookie in a uncompetitive automotive starting with a run of tracks he had not competed at earlier than, it felt that progress ought to have come by now.
Talking on the Hungaroring on Friday, AlphaTauri staff boss Franz Tost felt that, with out proof of improvement from de Vries, and extra new tracks arising within the second half of the 12 months, motion was wanted.
“This was additionally a really emotional resolution as a result of we have now a very good relationship with Nyck,” defined Tost. “I simply spoke with him on the phone final week.
“He did not have a simple time with us. To begin with, as a rookie, and that is typically for the rookies additionally for the long run, the primary half of the season just isn’t really easy as a result of they’re racing at many racetracks which they do not know: like Melbourne, Miami, and Saudi Arabia.
“Then they arrive to Baku the place it’s a dash race, and meaning there’s solely FP1 after which it’s already qualifying.
“It signifies that these days, if a younger driver involves F1, he actually needs to be ready in the absolute best means, which implies for me not less than 5-6000 kilometres of personal testing with an {old} automotive, like Alpine did with [Oscar] Piastri. That is the way in which to go.”
Franz Tost, Group Principal, Scuderia AlphaTauri, within the staff principals Press Convention
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
He added: “It was troublesome for him additionally, as a result of our automotive was not so aggressive. And if a automotive just isn’t so good, it is much more sophisticated.
“I anticipated a significantly better efficiency in Austria and in Silverstone as a result of each of those tracks Nyck knew fairly properly. However the efficiency did not come up.
“After which we determined to alter him, additionally considering to the second half of the season, the place he would not know Singapore, Japan, Mexico, Austin, and Qatar, which might not have made it straightforward.
“Now, with Ricciardo, we have now an skilled driver in there, which additionally helps us to develop the automotive to seek out out higher the place are the deficiencies of the automotive and hopefully to enhance the efficiency of the automotive.”
De Vries’ appointment at AlphaTauri was made by Pink Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, and got here regardless of scepticism in regards to the transfer from Pink Bull F1 staff boss Christian Horner.
Requested if AlphaTauri ought to have assessed de Vries extra on the finish of final season previous to signing him, Tost stated: “There was no chance as a result of he did not race any extra and it was once more determined by Pink Bull.
“Now, afterwards, everyone seems to be extra intelligent. I believe at the moment it was a proper resolution.”