Nyck de Vries Shares His Thoughts on Leaving AlphaTauri

• F1

Nyck de Vries, the Dutch Formula 1 driver, has broken his silence following the recent announcement that he will be replaced by Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri, effective from the Hungarian Grand Prix onwards.

A Personal Note on Change

Taking to Instagram to address the news, de Vries offered his first public comments on his departure.

Stepping away from the frantic social media milieu, he expressed his feelings about the transition with a mixture of gratitude, humility, and hope. “A short note from me… After recent events, I decided to take some time for myself away from social media, which I will continue to do,” de Vries wrote.

His decision comes as a stark reminder of the intense pressure drivers face both on and off the track, and his chosen method of retreat suggests a wish for privacy and introspection.

Gratitude Amidst Disappointment

De Vries didn't shy away from revealing the pain of the unexpected turn of events.

However, he balanced this disappointment with heartfelt thanks to Red Bull and Scuderia AlphaTauri for the opportunity to realize his childhood dream. He stated, “Of course it hurts that the F1 chance I dreamed of for so long ended prematurely.

But life is not a destination, it’s a journey, and sometimes you have to take the hard road to get where you want to be”. He also acknowledged his fans, whose encouraging messages in the wake of the news have clearly provided a significant boost to his morale. “Thank you to everyone for your kind and encouraging messages in the past week.

It’s been heart-warming to feel your support,” he added.

Looking Forward

Despite the setback, de Vries remains positive about the future, viewing this moment as just another chapter in his life’s narrative.

He affirmed, “I am grateful for our privileged lives, proud of our journey and my family. This is just another experience, we move on and look forward to the next chapter”. In a final note, he clarified that he has not given any interviews about his departure and plans to spend some quiet "me time." The Dutch racer is, for now, focusing on what comes next and appears to be keen on taking control of his narrative.