Nyck De Vries’ F1 axe ‘hurts like a motherf****r’ as Red Bull hammered

Red Bull have been slammed by high-profile figures in Formula One for sacking Nyck de Vries just ten races into his career.

The 28-year-old waited years for his opportunity in F1, having won Formula 2 and Formula E titles. He was finally given a seat by Red Bull’s sister team AlphaTauri, who often act as a launchpad for emerging drivers.

But the Dutchman struggled early into his debut 2023 campaign, failing to pick up a point while his teammate Yuki Tsunoda only managed two points as a result of a struggling car.

And Red Bull chief Marko Helmut brutally decided enough was enough and sacked the rookie this week in favour of Red Bull reserve driver and fan-favourite Daniel Ricciardo, 34.

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Despite Ricciardo’s popularity, the typically cut-throat axing by Red Bull has attracted plenty of disgruntled comments. And former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde has offered compatriot De Vries his sympathies, saying it “hurts like a mother****er.”

Van der Garde tweeted: “Never expected it to be over so quickly for Nyck. If you look back at it, the amount of time he was given to get used to the car and the progress he made [slowly but surely] it’s – in my opinion – been too soon. As for Nyck, this hurts like a mother****er.

“Let’s not forget this guy is quick as hell, has proven himself in a lot of categories and has a bright future in motorsport ahead of him.

Do you think Daniel Ricciardo is a better choice than Nyck De Vries? Let us know in the comments section.

“It might be too soon to focus on that, but important to keep in mind. Cheer up and you can be proud of yourself buddy.”

Sky Sports commentator David Croft was among those that questioned the decision on Twitter, believing the Dutchman had been hard done by.

Croft wrote: “Daniel Ricciardo on loan to Scuderia AlphaTauri for remainder of 2023 season. 1st race will be Hungary next week. Can’t help think that however nice it will be to have Daniel back on the grid, Nyck wasn’t given enough time to show what he can do – 10 races!”

Meanwhile, fellow commentator Alex Brundle called the decision “harsh” given how underwhelming the AlphaTauri AT04 has been this season, before slamming Red Bull’s lack of faith in young drivers.

Brundle tweeted: “This is a bit harsh in several directions. A – I think it’s fair to expect a full season to prove you can perform, especially when the car has been such a moving target.

“B – Taking Ricciardo and not [Liam] Lawson seems to demonstrate no confidence from RB in their driver roster.”

Another commentator, Alex Jacques, agreed, tweeting: “Very pleased to see Danny Ric back on the grid but it really is another classic of the Toro Rosso/Alpha Tauri second seat genre.

“De Vries sacked 10 races in. Lawson passed over having been with the academy since he was 17. New driver is 34 and left the team a decade ago.”

Lawson, a rising star who has been in Red Bull’s Junior Team since the age of 17, was tipped by many to become De Vries’ replacement

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