[Chris Medland] „First reported by Dutch media, I'm hearing from multiple sources now that Daniel Ricciardo will replace Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri with immediate effect“

Damn. I know he wasn't doing that great, but the way that Red Bull just makes way to someone else mid season is a bit harsh. If this is indeed true, hope Daniel can make it as I think this would be his last chance at landing a seat for next year.

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I haven't really followed Nyck's progress, but dropping him mid season like this is a strong statement. Not even Latifi or Mazepin were dropped this hard. This is Ricciardo's last try, and he has to outperform Tsunoda if he doesn't want to be dropped either.

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- Latifi and Mazepin were both pay drivers. Likely, sponsors and money were tied to their seats.
  
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- Well, Maz being dropped had serious financial strings attached. And what would a replacement driver have done, had a slightly faster 20th place pace?
  
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The way red bull drops and moves people mid season also adds so much uncertainty into the mind. Probably doesn't have the greatest effect on their psyche in addition to all the stress of everything else going on leading up to races.

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Is it possible this is a test run for DR to see if he's fit to replace Perez next season, or is that a long shot? What's Red Bull's upside for putting him at AT for half a season?

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said this in another thread but I think this is more of a test for Yuki, if he beats RIC then Yuki replaces Perez next year

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- For sure, that would make sense too.
  
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It sure looks like it… although I thought they gave him time till the summer break…

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- Me too.. I feel for de Vries. Poor guy didn't even make it a full season after finally getting his seat.
  
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Points. The more points you score, the more money you receive from F1. Danny is ATs best shot at eking out a few more points for the remainder of the season.

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My exact thoughts. It let's them put him back in the car without the immediate risk to the primary team.

I'm not well versed in driver moves. If Danny somehow does amazing is it possible for him to move to RB and Sergio to move the AT this season? Like a driver trade?

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- if danny does well he goes to RBR and Perez gets dropped. They wont put Perez at AT, no point, he's too old.
  
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- RB contracts are “you drive for the organization, not a particular team” so they can basically do whatever with them between AT and RB.
  
  I’m not sure that dropping them entirely out of a seat is part of that contract…
  
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Wild, I figured they'd give Nyck til the end of the season.

Also, Danny Ricc getting put in the junior car is kinda depressing. Although I get it, not really any spot up at the top rn. Checo seems to be doing just barely good enough...

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as someone else already stated it‘s really harsh. But pretty good for RBR/AT because they will see how good Ricciardo performs against Tsunoda. If Tsunoda outperforms Daniel he will also be dropped and Liam Lawson will drive the AT in 2024. Pretty solid strategy.

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- Tsunado
  
  Was that intentional? Because that’s genius! 😂
  
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- That’s a good point point. Should add a little bit of excitement for the second half of the calendar.
  
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It is a shame. I guess junior car is a little bit less depressing than reserve driver tho haha

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- Agreed. A seat is better than no seat. But yea he’s definitely going to have to prove himself again.
  
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I think the only reason Checo is still there is he isn't wrecking the cars, just costing them points, which are kind of like monopoly money to them at this point.

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Now on Formula 1's website.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-ricciardo-to-replace-de-vries-at-alphatauri-from-the-hungarian.2yhnzxE6XpSUZwzHfr9rXp.html

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what a bang to start silly season with

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Yeah I'm going to hold any opinion until we more than just a tweet lmao. Don't trust anything during silly season.

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- Posted and confirmed on the F1 website now. Ricciardo is in.
  
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I thought they would at least wait until the summer break

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Is it possible that this is a test run for DR to see if he's fit to replace Perez next season, or is that a long shot? What's Red Bull's upside for putting him at AT for half a season?

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