The Demise of a Rising Star: Red Bull's F1 Career-Killing Move on de Vries
Jul.14 - Red Bull's sudden axe is a "death sentence" for Nyck de Vries' Formula 1 career.
That is the view of Ralf Schumacher, who nonetheless admits that it's "understandable" team owner Red Bull decided to oust the struggling Dutch rookie from its junior outfit AlphaTauri.
He is being replaced by returning McLaren refugee and former Red Bull Racing race winner Daniel Ricciardo.
"Daniel already knew before the test at Silverstone that if he colud perform, he would have the cockpit," said Dr Helmut Marko, who made the ultimate calls.
"He more than survived this pressure situation," he told Sport1.
28-year-old former Formula E and Formula 2 champion de Vries, however, did not survive the pressure of his opening half season of Formula 1.
"The decision may even be understandable," former F1 driver Schumacher told Sky Deutschland.
"But you also have to say that, in the middle of the season, it's not exactly the finest style from Red Bull."
And he says that while AlphaTauri can also "certainly afford" a driver change given it is dead last in the constructors' standings, de Vries' career cannot.
"Of course it's an absolute death sentence for the boy," said the German. "After this, he won't be able to gain a foothold anywhere. That's my opinion."
Schumacher has already been critical of Red Bull's earlier driver decisions, including the call not to sign up his nephew Mick instead of de Vries for the 2023 AlphaTauri seat.
Mick has also now been overlooked for a second time.
"Mick would have been available," said Schumacher, "but we've discussed this often enough.
"For whatever reasons, the decision is made against Mick."
Mick Schumacher, the current Mercedes reserve, is now hoping for another opportunity to test for McLaren - after getting a run in the 2021 car at Portimao recently.
"I wouldn't say no to another test," he confirmed.
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Ralph must be aware that shumi jr is just a fraction off in pace like Devries is.
MSJR name has kept him floating about in f1.
His F1 career is indeed most likely over for good, given no team truly desired his services until Red Bull offered him a drive at Alpha Tauri, & even they did that only after their initially preferred driver proved unavailable over SL-ineligibility (although this was already clear before), so other teams most certainly have an even lower incentive for him after his subpar performance this season.
I can see him continuing his active racing career in, for example, WEC, back in FE, or another series.
3-4 decades ago, he would have a future. Now, he is probably done. Reason, he's a 28 yr old rookie. He had ONE grab at the brass ring. He fell off the horse.
At 28, hardly a 'boy'.
it goes to prove that all that glisters is not gold
He was always referred to as a rookie, but at 28yrs old he could hardly be classed as such
F1 was to big a step for him
Was he chosen for his sponsorship money?
What sponsorship money? He isn't a so-called pay driver, not to mention Red Bull never takes or keeps drivers for external factors, including sponsor money from drivers, but only ever for performance.
Ralphie should be banned from commenting on anything.
A sign of the times we live in, with so many talented drivers in F2 team owners are spoilt for choice. Unfortunately, if you get a F1 drive you have to perform no second chances.
A number of comments are rattling around about "do - or die" or similarly - "No second chance" for the Nickster!
Ummm - Didn't Daniel Ricciardo just get a "second chance" thanks to Nick's departure.
In either event, I wish them both well.
Agree on the good wishes, but one huge diff. RIC has a history (tho ancient by F1 standards) of results. Nyck is simply a 28 yr old rookie.
Right. D'Oh!