Nyck de Vries offers update on career pressure deadline

Thomas Maher 06 Jul 2023 12:10 PM

AlphaTauri driver Nyck de Vries at the British Grand Prix. Silverstone, July 2023.

Nyck de Vries has revealed how he’s dealing with the pressure of fighting for his F1 career over the course of this summer.

The Dutch driver is under serious scrutiny as the Formula 1 season churns on and the teams start thinking about renewing driver contracts for 2024.

With De Vries struggling for pace and consistency since making his full-time F1 debut with AlphaTauri this year, rumours have abounded that the former Formula E Champion is on a deadline of a handful of races taking him through to the summer break before Red Bull decide whether to continue with him in the seat.

Nyck de Vries on dealing with F1 career pressure

While the rumours are that De Vries is on a deadline, the Dutch driver was giving nothing away as he spoke to media, including PlanetF1.com, on Thursday at the British Grand Prix.

Asked whether Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko or AlphaTauri Franz Tost are continuing as normal or have indicated a deadline to him, De Vries bluntly said: “[It’s] business as usual.”

Asked by PlanetF1.com how he’s dealing with the pressure while away from the racetrack, De Vries explained that he’s turned his attention to golf.

“Yeah, I mean, there is always pressure and I’ve always said that pressure is relative,” he said.

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“You guys (journalists) have pressure to deliver in your job, and we all have responsibilities in life and so do I.

“I might experience my pressure as intense, but so do you and, if you have to get ready for a school exam, that feels big too.

“It just depends on where you are in life. I just love to spend time with family, and friends, and in nature.

“最近,我一直在试图再次拿起高尔夫球,because I used to play a little bit when I was at home and I can put all my frustration in the grass or the top of the ball!

“And then search them left, right and centre in the bushes or in the water!”

Nyck de Vries pushing himself to be the best version of himself

As for whether De Vries is taking a different approach to what could be his last races in Formula 1, he explained that he isn’t changing anything about his approach.

“I think every day is about being the best of me, and trying to perform as good as possible on track,” he said.

“So it’s July, it’s summer. But I don’t really feel any different towards that. I always try to be the best of myself and do the best possible job I can.”

“No, not necessarily. I just try to continue to focus on myself and be the best I can. That is not only on-track, but off-track, and I take our sport and my passion very seriously.

“We’re not here to joke around, but I don’t necessarily think there is one particular area – I just want to be performing better.”