Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula One world champion, has taken a sharp dig at rival team Red Bull for their hasty decision to remove Nyck de Vries after just 10 races in his rookie season with AlphaTauri.
The 28-year-old Dutchman struggled to score points, and the team’s management, following the precedent of dismissing young talents in the past, made the tough call to replace him after the British Grand Prix.
Hamilton, who has had his fair share of disagreements with the Red Bull hierarchy in the past, expressed surprise at de Vries’ sudden departure and praised the young driver’s talent and character.
He said, “I was definitely surprised to see the decision they took with poor Nyck. He’s such a talented young man and such a nice guy as well. I think his future is still bright for him, and he’ll have lots of great options, I’m sure.”
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When asked about the nature of such a brutal decision in Formula One, Hamilton responded with a thinly-veiled criticism, saying, “I’d say that’s how Red Bull works.”
This remark alludes to Red Bull’s reputation for making swift and tough decisions when it comes to their driver lineup.
Replacing de Vries is none other than Daniel Ricciardo, the Red Bull icon who lost his seat at McLaren last season.
Ricciardo, who has been serving as a reserve driver for Red Bull, empathised with his predecessor and offered his support.
He acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the sport and encouraged de Vries to keep his spirits high, saying, “I feel for Nyck… If he still wants it, keep his chin up.
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“It’s one of those ones, like anything in life, you get knocked down, but it’s how you get back up.”
Ricciardo’s personal experience and journey back to the F1 grid after a challenging season with McLaren inspired his supportive words for de Vries.
The Australian driver urged the young Dutchman to persevere and remain determined, as things can change unexpectedly in motorsport.