Nyck de Vries took Max Verstappen’s advice and gave a call to Red Bull Advisor, Helmut Marko. In an unexpected turn of events, Nyck bagged the AlphaTauri seat. While that is history, the world still can’t seem to have enough of the two Dutchman who began their journey with the same team. Toro Rosso, now rebranded as AlphaTauri, will house the Dutch rookie, as they did with his compatriot. The team’s principal had an interesting story to share when he saw the duo arrive on the track for the Bahrain pre-season test today.

The ex-Mercedes reserve driver began Karting with Verstappen. However, as fate held, the younger of the two made his grand debut at the age of 17 with Red Bull‘s sister outfit and the other one had to wait till he turned 27. Though older than Verstappen, Nyck believes he is like an older brother to him on track because of the mammoth experience the double-world champion has.

A renowned F1 Journalist, Chris Medland, tweeted Tost’s recollection of the Dutch duo’s Karting day. De Vries joins Verstappen on track, two drivers Franz Tost says stood out in karting: “I saw kart races from Nyck and from Max where I thought what they did there, how they drove, how they overtook, how they had everything under control was just fantastic”

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Though this won’t be the first time the two have raced together in any series, the apex of motor sporting has a different fan base. Even before the Dutch rookie has set foot on the track, whose side the orange army will take is already a topic of discussion.

Nyck de Vries will try to break away from Max Verstappen’s shadow

It is not easy to come from a country of the reigning double world champion. Nyck de Vries is well aware of the fact that the heart of his countrymen beats for another. However, the newer Dutchman is not disheartened by the status quo and hopes for the best.

During the unveiling of AT04, as quoted by Maximaal.nl, the AlphaTauri driver said, “Max (Verstappen) Is now doing fantastically in Formula 1. He is dominating our sport at the moment and it is right that the whole country is behind him and that the Dutch are so enthusiastic about Formula 1.” [Translated using Google]

He further added, “I am now starting my Formula 1 journey and while Max (Verstappen, ed.) is busy winning even more championships, I will try to make my mark on this sport as well.”

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What are your predictions for the two Dutchmen, Max Verstappen, and Nyck de Vries? Do you look forward to seeing them battle it out?