Nyck De Vries is on standby to potentially replace Alex Albon if the Formula 1 driver is unable to compete in the Singapore Grand Prix, RacingNews365.com understands. De Vries was drafted in as a late replacement at the Italian Grand Prix after Albon came down with appendicitis ahead of Saturday at Monza. The London-born Thai was admitted to hospital for surgery, but complications led to respiratory failure and a brief period in intensive care. 2019 Formula 2 champion De Vries subsequently qualified well, and started in the top 10 after grid penalties for others. He drove a strong race to finish P9 on debut and bank two points to further bolster his claim for a full-time F1 race seat in 2023. Albon is expected to come back in for the race at Marina Bay, but given the physical battering expected for drivers, De Vries is on stand-by to step in once again alongside Nicholas Latifi.
Plan is for Albon to race but De Vries available
Many drivers have expressed concern for how the new 2022 cars will fare on the bumps of Singapore, and coupled with the heat and humidity that is a feature, the race could be challenging for Albon. "Alex has undergone an intense period of physical preparation and the recovery from the surgery is fine," a source close to Albon told RacingNews365.com. "It is the respiratory failure that is the big challenge given the severe climate and track conditions. He is racing this weekend." Such a situation was envisaged by Williams as it intended to give De Vries a run-out in its simulator after he got back from the Alpine test in Hungary. However, due to UK immigration rules post-Brexit, De Vries was unable to travel to the UK on his ID card as his passport was being sent off for a visa to Japan. RacingNews365.com understands that the chances of the 2020/21 Formula E champion making a second F1 appearance is "50-50."
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