Crimson Bull boss Helmut Marko has solid additional doubt over Nyck de Vries’ future with AlphaTauri after admitting Christian Horner was proper to have reservations about signing him.
De Vries was signed to Crimson Bull’s junior staff after a powerful points-scoring end on his F1 debut eventually 12 months’s Italian Grand Prix whereas deputising for Williams’ Alex Albon.
The Dutch driver has had an underwhelming begin together with his new staff this 12 months and there have been experiences final month that Marko, the pinnacle of the Crimson Bull programme and the particular person believed to have essentially the most sway over driver choices, had given him an ultimatum to enhance in time for the Spanish Grand Prix.
That race has come and gone with De Vries nonetheless within the seat however Marko has advised he’s nonetheless not satisfied the Dutch driver is the fitting particular person for the function.
Requested on The Inside Line podcast if he and Crimson Bull boss Horner usually disagree about signings, Marko stated: “Not usually, however typically we do. The final one… I might say de Vries.
“Principally it is AlphaTauri, however we’re an enormous household and we get opinions. He [Horner] was not a fan of De Vries. I might say for the time being it seems to be like he was proper.”
Sources have advised ESPN that Daniel Ricciardo is open to a return to AlphaTauri, however will not be keen to take action till subsequent season. Eight-time race winner Ricciardo is at the moment taking a 12 months out as Crimson Bull’s third driver.
Final week, F1.com reported that AlphaTauri have stated a seat is accessible for Ricciardo subsequent season if he needs it — Marko’s feedback counsel De Vries could be within the firing line.
Though De Vries’ teammate Yuki Tsunoda has had a combined profession since becoming a member of AlphaTauri in 2021, his type this season has been a lot improved.