F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Tost: De Vries 'still learning' but will step up with a good car

AlphaTauri team boss Franz Tost insists Nyck de Vries will step up his performance, admitting that the Dutchman's apprenticeship in F1 hasn't been helped by the issues impacting the team's 2023 car.

De Vries was added to Red Bull's family of drivers after his remarkable F1 debut and top-ten performance With Williams at last year's Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

At 28, the former FIA F2 and Formula E champion has joined the F1 grid late in his career but armed with solid racing experience and a winning track record.

De Vries was outpaced in qualifying and on race day in the firs two races of the season, Bahrain and in Jeddah, by AlphaTauri teammate Yuki Tsunoda who is currently in his third year with the team.

Taking stock of de Vries' performance relative to Tsunoda after the opening round in Bahrain, Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko said that he would like to see him step it up, a demand also made of Tsunoda ahead of the start of the season.

"Nyck is still learning," replied Tost. "What we have to provide the drivers is a fast car and then they are there.

"Both of them are high-skilled drivers; both of them showed in the past that they can win races, that they can win championships. It’s up to the team to provide them with a competitive car.

"I must say that he is quite familiar with the team, with the engineers and it's - as I just mentioned before, up to us to give him a good, competitive car.

Tost said that de Vries had settled in nicely with the Faenza-based outfit, but acknowledged that the Dutchman's task has been complicated by the troubles impacting AlphaTauri's AT04.

"Nyck will step up," he added. "If he has a good car, then he will be there.

"You know, if you are a young driver, a newcomer in Formula 1, then it's even more difficult if the car causes troubles.

"It’s easier with a competitive car to show good performance. And I'm convinced that Nyck will increase his performance and that he will show us good races."

Tost admitted that he expected AlphaTauri to field a more competitive car, especially after his team of engineers had spoken so highly about the AT04's potential.

However, performances have fallen short of expectations, and Tost has laid the blame at the feet of his engineers, whom he says he no longer trusts!

"Too little downforce," the Austrian said as he explained the At04's main weakness. "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.

"We have to do a lot of things to make the car faster," he added. "And especially on the aerodynamic side.

"There are different programmes going on, but the engineers tell me that we make some good progress, but I don't trust them anymore.

"I just want to see the lap time because this is the only thing which counts."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Marko: ‘No chance at all’ for Red Bull in Las Vegas

Helmut Marko believes that Red Bull and Max Verstappen are unlikely to challenge for victory…

5 hours ago

GM revives bid to join F1 with accelerated talks for 2026 entry

Automotive giant General Motors is reportedly back in the game as a potential entrant in…

7 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Thursday's action in pictures

The opening day of running at the Las Vegas GP was a smooth but chilly…

8 hours ago

Williams' headaches persist into Vegas practice

Williams is continuing to fight uphill battles this weekend in Las Vegas as a knock-on…

9 hours ago

Ferrari's Sainz 'not satisfied with where we are' in Vegas

It was a solid start to the Las Vegas weekend for Ferrari with Carlos Sainz…

11 hours ago

Norris labels McLaren long-run pace ‘shocking’ in chilly Vegas

Lando Norris didn’t hold back in his assessment of McLaren’s performance on the opening day…

12 hours ago