How Verstappen swayed de Vries to AlphaTauri

Ewan Gale
Thursday 20 October 2022 08:10

AlphaTauri's newly-announced Nyck de Vries has revealed how Max Verstappen was involved in his decision to join the Red Bull-backed team.

Former F2 and Formula E champion de Vries will partner Yuki Tsunoda at the Faenza-based team from next season after impressing on debut during a stand-in appearance at the Italian Grand Prix, where he secured two points for Williams.

It was understood that the Dutchman was a target for Williams but de Vries was ultimately announced as the replacement for Alpine-bound Pierre Gasly, who were also interested in the Mercedes reserve's services.

Detailing the process of negotiations, de Vries told the Beyond the Grid podcast: "So we were in close conversations with Williams for a longer time.

"I spoke to Jost on the Tuesday after the weekend. The Alpine test was always scheduled, it was scheduled way before Monza - actually, I went to the Alpine facilities just ahead of Spa.

"But then I had dinner with Max on the Monday evening in Monaco, just to celebrate together, and we talked about it openly about the possibilities and opportunities.

"We talked about potentially... AlphaTauri and Dr Marko. That is how it went.

"Later that week, I was in Graz and I spent two days in Austria."

Red Bull-AlphaTauri talks "very straightforward"

De Vries met with Red Bull motorsports advisor Dr Helmut Marko in Austria as part of negotiations, before the intent to sign was made.

Addressing Dr Marko's personality given the Austrian's reputation for his ruthless nature, de Vries insisted: "We had a great time together. We spent two days eating local food, talking about the future together.

"He has a good sense of humour and we respected each other. I think he appreciated me for being there representing myself and having the conversations with him directly.

"Red Bull is all about performance and winning, and I share that.

"It was very straightforward and enjoyable."