Breaking: F1 driver REPLACED by Ricciardo claims major success

F1 driver REPLACED by Ricciardo claims major success with new team

Nyck de Vries, a former Formula 1 driver, has found significant success in his post-F1 career after being replaced by Daniel Ricciardo in the 2023 season. De Vries’ exit from the pinnacle of motorsport was abrupt and surprising to many. After only half a season with AlphaTauri, Red Bull’s junior team, De Vries was let go to make way for the popular Australian driver Ricciardo, who returned to the grid to take over his seat.

De Vries’ rise in Formula 1 was initially promising. The Dutch driver made an impressive debut in 2022 when he stepped in for Williams driver Alex Albon for one race. His performance caught the attention of Red Bull’s leadership, leading to a full-time seat with AlphaTauri in 2023. With prior successes, including titles in both Formula 2 and Formula E, there were high hopes for his transition into the sport’s top tier.

Red Bull’s Christian Horner and AlphaTauri’s CEO at the time, Peter Bayer, believed that De Vries could translate his lower-tier championships into a competitive F1 career. However, his time with AlphaTauri did not meet these expectations. Struggling to adapt to the car and underperforming relative to his teammate Yuki Tsunoda, De Vries found himself under increasing pressure. The disappointment culminated in Red Bull’s decision to promote Daniel Ricciardo, who was serving as the third driver for the senior Red Bull Racing team, into the AlphaTauri lineup. Ricciardo’s return was a major talking point in the F1 paddock, and De Vries’ mid-season dismissal marked a sharp turn in his career.

Despite the setback in Formula 1, De Vries quickly found a new path to success. After leaving the sport, he signed with Toyota Gazoo Racing to compete in the 2024 World Endurance Championship (WEC). This switch allowed him to return to endurance racing, where he had already proven himself to be a capable driver. De Vries joined an elite lineup at Toyota, sharing driving duties with experienced racers Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi. Together, they formed a strong team that would go on to claim major victories throughout the WEC season.

De Vries and his team found early success in 2024, with a standout performance at the 6 Hours of Imola. This win not only marked a personal victory for De Vries but also contributed to Toyota’s continued dominance in endurance racing. Toyota Gazoo Racing secured the 2024 WEC Manufacturers’ Championship, marking their sixth consecutive title in the series. De Vries played a key role in this achievement, proving his capabilities as part of a top-tier racing team outside of Formula 1.

The triumph was officially recognized during the FIA’s annual awards ceremony, where De Vries and his teammates were honored. Toyota was one of the most decorated teams at the event, also celebrating victories in the World Rally Championship and Rally-Raid Championship. Their achievements across multiple disciplines showcased their dominance in motorsport during the 2024 season.

For De Vries, the success with Toyota marked a redemption of sorts. While his Formula 1 career may not have panned out as expected, his return to endurance racing has allowed him to once again compete at the highest levels of motorsport, adding another prestigious title to his already impressive resume. His story serves as a reminder that even after setbacks in Formula 1, talented drivers can find new paths to success.