De Vries responds to contract: 'Want to thank both Red Bull and AlphaTauri'

AlphaTauri announced at Suzuka that Nyck de Vries will race for the team in 2023. The Dutchman replaces Pierre Gasly, who is officially making the switch to Alpine. De Vries reacted to the unique news for the first time.

In 2023, Max Verstappen will no longer be the only Dutchman on the grid. De Vries will finally make his full-time Formula 1 debut next season. In AlphaTauri's press release, he commented on the news. "I’m extremely excited to be joining Scuderia AlphaTauri for 2023 and I want to thank both Red Bull and the team for giving me the opportunity to drive in F1. After Formula 2, I took a slightly different path with motorsport, but F1 has always been my dream and I’m grateful to be able to fulfil it."

De Vries has already been able to gain a lot of experience this season. For instance, the Dutchman has already been in action during several free practice sessions for Mercedes and Aston Martin, among others. De Vries also got to take part in his first F1 race, as Alexander Albon was unable to drive in Italy due to appendicitis.

De Vries: 'That put me in a good position'

De Vries clearly left a good impression when he crossed the finish line ninth in the Williams car because in the weeks that followed more and more rumours surfaced that he would be on the grid in 2023. Williams were reportedly interested in De Vries as Nicholas Latifi's replacement, but the Dutchman ultimately opted for a contract with AlphaTauri.

"I’ve had a lot of chances to experience the 2022 car this year and I think that has put me in a great position for the upcoming season, I hope this has helped to prepare me for what is to come. Having spent most of my teenage years in Italy for karting, I’ve always felt at home there, so for me it’s great to be joining an Italian team, that already has a real family feel, and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and to start to build our relationship before the next season," said the new addition to Red Bull Racing's sister team.