Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton says Nyck de Vries' sacking from AlphaTauri mid-season is just "how Red Bull works".
De Vries was unceremoniously replaced after the British Grand Prix by Daniel Riccardo who returns to the grid this weekend in Hungary and who will see out the remainder of the season with AlphaTauri.
Red Bull said that its decision to oust de Vries was rooted in the latter's lack of improvement over the course of his ten races with the Faenza-based outfit.
Asked if he felt that Red Bull's decision to part ways with de Vries after such a relatively brief period was unfair, Hamilton believed that it was.
"Yep. That’s how Red Bull do it," said Hamilton, who worked with de Vries during the Dutchman's spell with the Brackley squad a development driver. "I’d say that’s how Red Bull works."
"I was definitely surprised to see the decision they took with poor Nyck.
"He’s such a talented young man and such a nice guy as well, so I think his future is still bright for him and he’ll have lots of great options, I’m sure."
While taken aback by de Vries' getting the axe, Hamilton was not surprised by Ricciardo's return to the fray.
"Not really, because he has been in every drivers’ briefing this year," the Briton said.
"He’s in the drivers’ briefing but not actually competing. That’s very rare, you don’t often see the reserve driver in the drivers’ briefings. But I’m not surprised to see him back."
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