The revelation by Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has shed light on the differing opinions within the team regarding the signing of Nyck de Vries for AlphaTauri. Marko disclosed that team principal Christian Horner was initially against bringing de Vries on board and now believes that Horner’s skepticism was justified.

During the pre-season last year, Marko had been convinced that de Vries would be a valuable addition to AlphaTauri, particularly after his impressive debut at the Italian Grand Prix when he stepped in at short notice for Alex Albon. Both Marko and AlphaTauri team chief Franz Tost recognized de Vries as a crucial asset in propelling the team forward. Tost even publicly praised de Vries for his invaluable input to the engineers during the winter on F1TV. Enhance your F1 viewing experience with attractive odds from Nextbet.

However, it is now clear that Yuki Tsunoda has emerged as AlphaTauri’s standout driver, surpassing de Vries in multiple aspects. Marko openly discussed Horner’s initial reservations about de Vries during an episode of the Inside Line F1 Podcast, stating that team management and the team principal make decisions together. Although he acknowledged that disagreements with Horner are rare, de Vries was one instance where Horner’s reservations were seemingly justified.

Marko had previously expressed concerns about de Vries’ slower start to the season. Despite this, he did highlight de Vries’ improved performance in Monaco, offering a glimmer of hope. However, de Vries’ future with the team appears uncertain, especially with potential replacements like Red Bull junior team drivers Liam Lawson and Ayumu Iwasa eagerly awaiting their chance. Additionally, Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff is actively working towards securing a permanent seat for Mick Schumacher, while Daniel Ricciardo is also seeking a comeback.

While Tost has come to de Vries’ defense, emphasizing that F1 rookies require time to settle into the sport and the team, it is evident that de Vries’ contract extension is not guaranteed at this stage. Furthermore, he is one of just two drivers who have yet to score points, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his position within the team. The upcoming races will likely play a significant role in determining de Vries’ future in Formula 1. Get the latest updates from the world of F1 only on Nextbet Sports.