Verstappen responds to De Vries news: 'He does that very cleverly'

Max Verstappen will have a compatriot in Formula 1 in 2023. Nyck de Vries will replace Pierre Gasly at Red Bull Racing's sister team. Verstappen is excited to finally see the 27-year-old driver in the sport.

According to De Vries, Verstappen has no doubt put in a good word for him with Helmut Marko. The Red Bull Racing advisor was spotted with the Dutchman in Austria just after the Italian Grand Prix, where De Vries made an impressive racing debut. Verstappen says he gave his compatriot a push.

"After Monza, we already had a dinner and then of course we talked about what is possible. Then I also said: just call Helmut. Who knows, right? Of course, he did and he does so very cleverly. So you see, that's how you end up with a seat for next year. That is of course very nice," Verstappen begins in conversation with Viaplay.

Verstappen on De Vries as his teammate

"What I also liked, of course, was he was always leaning against it a bit and then you get one chance to show it and then you just grab it with both hands. Then you immediately score points as well. I am very happy for Nyck. I am also sure he can learn a lot at AlphaTauri. It is also a very nice and beautiful team and hopefully competitive as well. That's also what it's all about, of course, being able to fight for those points," the Dutchman continues.

So next year we will see two Dutchmen in Formula 1. In the future, we might also see two Dutchmen in the same team now that De Vries will become part of the Red Bull family, but Verstappen doesn't want to think about that just yet. "You shouldn't ask me that. That depends on certain things and also of course what happens next to me, how long Checo continues to perform well. First, let's just start enjoying two Dutchmen in Formula 1."