Formula One world champion Max Verstappen on Saturday stated he urged compatriot Nyck de Vries to provide Red Bull motorsport head Helmut Marko a name after his spectacular debut ultimately month’s Italian Grand Prix.
De Vries, who completed within the factors after being referred to as in on the final minute to face in for appendicitis-stricken Williams racer Alexander Albon in Monza, was on Saturday introduced as a substitute for Alpine-bound Pierre Gasly at Red Bull sister workforce AlphaTauri for subsequent season. The transfer revived the 27-year-old’s F1 hopes, after the previous Formula Two and Formula E champion and Mercedes reserve appeared to have missed his likelihood.
“This is incredible for him,” Verstappen stated after taking pole place for Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix, which may yield him a second successive title.
“He’s been pushing hard for it for a long time and to finally get that opportunity is amazing for him. We had a dinner the day after Monza and I told him, like, just give him (Marko) a call. You never know what happens and it was also the right time to call him, so Helmut is still probably excited on a Monday from the race on a Sunday. So it worked out really well.” Marko is a former racer whose obligations embody taking care of Red Bull’s steady of younger drivers and scouting for expertise. De Vries will line up alongside Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda at AlphaTauri.
As a member of the Faenza-based outfit, the place Verstappen himself acquired his begin, he’ll be part of the identical Red Bull fold as his compatriot. His step as much as Formula One comes at a time of immense reputation for Formula One within the Netherlands, fuelled by Verstappen’s success.
Speaking earlier on Saturday, AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost stated de Vries had been on his radar for a while however that his efficiency at quick discover in Monza satisfied him to signal the 27-year-old.
“This had a great influence because it showed his potential,” stated the Austrian. “He drove a fantastic race, did not make any mistakes and therefore it was an easy decision to take him.”
