Nyck DeVries F1 Dreams Endures Massive Shock as Mercedes Boss Makes Blunt Revelation

It was certainly a bit different to see Formula E champion Nyck de Vries driving a Mercedes in the FP1 session. He was competitive against George Russell on the track and finished around half a second behind him. But it is enough for him to notch a seat in the sport in 2023?

De Vries is the reserve driver for the Mercedes F1 team and does not have a seat for the future. Many have called him the team’s ‘insurance policy’ once Lewis Hamilton retires from the sport. But Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has some deflating news for the former F2 champion on his future in F1.

“If we are not able to provide him [De Vries] with an interesting Formula One project, in a way we need to let him go. He’s looking at various options, sports cars and maybe Formula E, but you must never give up on the opportunity that one day a Formula One door can open and today was very good.” 

I can’t really help him. We can’t really tell any team to look at him and consider him because that would be felt like an interference and that goes the contrary way,” said Wolff on Sky Sports.

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This is certainly not the news the Dutch driver wanted to hear after his impressive FP1 session with the team. But just like Wolff, de Vries is also unclear about his future.

Will we see the Mercedes reserve driver in F1 in 2023?

It looks highly unlikely for the Dutch driver that any teams are vying for his signature. De Vries mentioned these things are out of his hands and he cannot do anything regarding them.

“Ultimately, I don’t have the answer to that question. I think the only way to make sure to continue your career successfully is to perform and do your best,” said de Vries.

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It is sad to see a driver of the talent of the Dutch driver might not get the opportunity to live out his dream in F1. There are very limited opportunities on the grid currently for the next season.

But there are might many more chances at the end of 2023 as many drivers have their contracts expiring at that time. So, maybe that could be the calling card for de Vries.