F1 News

de vries preview silverstone for alphatauri

De Vries looks forward to Silverstone: 'Circuit I know well'

5 July 2023 at 11:25
Last update 5 July 2023 at 12:01
  • Sam Godber

Next weekend, the British Grand Prix is on the programme. Nyck de Vries has not yet been able to make a great impression this season and will get another chance to do so this weekend, at "a circuit the Dutchman knows well".

De Vries still stands on zero points in the 2023 season. In contrast, teammate Yuki Tsunoda has already managed to amass a few points and the Dutchman's position at AlphaTauri is under reasonable pressure. It was rumoured that de Vries had four races left from Austria to prove himself, but Helmut Marko contradicted that last Tuesday.

De Vries knows Silverstone well

Like the Red Bull Ring, where F1 raced last weekend, Silverstone is a familiar track for the AlphaTauri driver. "Silverstone is a track I know well. It is a very quick track, I think one of the quickest on the calendar. With our cars, they are so quick through those corners that you’re looking at taking downforce off because everything is full throttle. It’s a historic place in the heart of Formula 1 and motorsport because the core of our industry is based around Silverstone," says De Vries in an AlphaTauri press release.

What can De Vries do at Silverstone?

It is clear by now that the AT04 is one of the slowest cars in the field. As a result, the Italian formation is at the bottom of the constructors' championship. "Whether the track will suit our car is the same question everyone always asks, but I think, looking at the midfield, it’s impossible to predict whether your performance will be strong or not. The margins are so small that execution is key. Additionally, you’ve got to make the right decisions throughout the weekend to get the maximum potential out of the package you have."