His debut season in Formula 1 is not yet what Nyck de Vries was hoping for. The Dutchman was beaten in the first two race weekends both on Saturday and Sunday by his teammate: Yuki Tsunoda. AlphaTauri team boss Franz Tost is confident that the 'rookie' will perform better soon, he told F1i.com.

After his meborgian debut at Monza last year, expectations around Nyck de Vries were high. Even before he had driven his first metres in the AT04, there was already talk of a possible transfer to the great Red Bull. Despite already having two world championships to his name, in Formula 2 and Formula E, De Vries is driving a full Formula 1 season for the first time.

'AT04 has too little downforce'

Team boss Tost also sees that the 28-year-old De Vries is still searching. " He is still learning," says the Austrian, who immediately puts all responsibility on the team. "What we have to provide the drivers is a fast car and then they are there." It is not the first time the team boss has spoken negatively about alphaTauri's car. "It does not enough downforce, therefore the car is unstable under braking, overheating the rear tyres, washing-out at the apex, bad traction. Everything what you need to do a good lap time."

'De Vries will be fine'

The Dutchman will be fine, thinks Tost: "I'm convinced that Nyck will increase his performance and that he will show us good races."