The Mercedes F1 team principal and the ex-AlphaTauri driver were pict𝓰ured at a cafe in Monaco on Wednesday, a day after Red Bull made their decision.

Toto Wolff ♊and Nyck de Vries we♐re seen at a café in Monaco today.

— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop)

De Vries lost his AlphaTauri drive after just 10 grands prix as a full-time driver, having nܫot scored a single point all season.

Daniel Ricciardo will replace him immediately, from next weekend's F1 Hungarian Grand Prix until the end of the♏ sea𝓰son.

Wolff and ๊De V𝐆ries have obvious history together so their meeting is interesting.

Lastღ season, De Vries acted as Mercedes' third dr🦩iver - a role now occupied by Mick Schumacher.

At Monza last year, De Vries was able to step in and drive for Williams when Alex Albon was unwell. His impressive performance in that race, which drew plaudits from Lewis Hamilton, convinced Red Bull to🍰 pla🐓ce him in their sister team AlphaTauri for 2023.

But Helmut Marko, the Red Bull consultant, has lost his patience with De V🦂ries already.

It remains to be see𓄧n if Wolff's influence can help De Vries find another seat on the 2024 F1 grid.

Mercedes' close🌺 ties with Williams might be his best bet. Albon is contracted for 2024 but Logan Sa🥂rgeant is not yet tied down.

Marko had expressed doubts that De Vries wi🙈ll get another shot in F1 and recommended he try a career in endurance racing.