Franz Tost, team principal of AlphaTauri, revealed Nyck de Vries’ performance during his debut over the 2022 Italian Grand Prix weekend at Monza, made the decision to sign him for 2023 an easy one.
Nyck de Vries impressed when he substituted for the ill Alex Albon at Williams over the Italian Grand Prix weekend at Monza, making it into Q2 in qualifying, and finishing the race ninth after a fine drive.
The Dutchman was in the spotlight immediately being linked to several teams for a full time Formula 1 drive in 2023, but as it transpired, he was announced as a replacement to Alpine-bound Pierre Gasly at AlphaTauri.
De Vries was announced over the course of the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix weekend, and facing the media, AlphaTauri boss was asked why they chose the 27-year-old.
“Because he’s fast,” Tost said. “I know his history. I saw him in karting, he won, I think it was 2010 and ’11, the European and the World Championship in karting, and then he was really successful in all the categories where he raced.
“He won in Formula Renault, he won in GP3, he won in Formula 2 and also he won the Formula E World Championship, and therefore I think he is a very high-skilled driver, and he deserves to be in Formula 1, and we are really looking forward to having him in our car,” he explained.
Monza showed De Vries’ potential
Asked how much De Vries’ Monza performance affected the team’s decision, Tost admitted: “This had a great influence because it showed his potential.
“He drove a fantastic race, did not make any mistakes. And therefore, it was an easy decision to take him,” he insisted.
Tost spared a though for Pierre Gasly, gave the Faenza team their second ever win in F1 at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, the only driver to do so after Sebastian Vettel won the 2008 edition of the same race for the team when it was still called Toro Rosso.
“We will miss him a lot because Pierre put a lot of effort into the team and he brought the team forward,” Tost said of Gasly.
“We had a very successful time together, not only the win in Monza but also his podium finishes in São Paulo or in Baku, and he’s a good character. He is a fast driver. He is very professional.
“And I can only say thank you to him for his superb job with us and wish him a successful future,” the Austrian concluded.
A new chapter will start in 2023 with @AlpineF1Team
I am extremely excited to join the team on a multi-year deal and work our way to the top together. pic.twitter.com/BtkTDOJ0hA
— PIERRE GASLY ?? (@PierreGASLY) October 8, 2022