Toto Wolff has given an update on Nyck de Vries' future at Mercedes following the Dutchman's Free Practice 1 outing for the team at the French Grand Prix. De Vries sat in for Lewis Hamilton during the session, and finished the hour in P9 on the timesheets, having completed 23 laps in total. His best time was around half a second off that set by fellow Silver Arrows driver George Russell. This was the driver's second FP1 appearance of the season, as de Vries previously drove the Williams over the Spanish Grand Prix weekend. The Dutchman is the reigning Formula E Champion and also acts as a reserve driver for the Mercedes team, but Wolff has suggested that he should not give up on the possibility of breaking into Formula 1.
Wolff reflects on de Vries' F1 prospects
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after de Vries' FP1 drive in France, Wolff admitted that Mercedes may not be able to keep him should there not be a viable opportunity available in F1. "I think if we're not able to provide him with an interesting Formula 1 project, in a way we need to let him go," the team boss explained. "He's looking at various options, [including] sports cars and then maybe Formula E, but you must never give up on the opportunity that one day a Formula 1 door can open, and today was very, very good." Wolff also acknowledged that there is only so much he can do to help de Vries in finding a seat in Formula 1. "I can't really help him, because 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," he added.
How Hamilton helped de Vries
Hamilton spent FP1 in the Mercedes garage while de Vries drove the car in FP1 at the Circuit Paul Ricard, and Wolff has revealed that the seven-time World Champion was actively involved during the session. His presence in the garage did initially cause a bit of confusion for Wolff, though. "I was a bit confused because I came in there and he [was] sat on my seat, and I thought, 'Why are you not in the car?' And then obviously I realised," Wolff joked. "I think it was interesting because he was coaching Nyck. He was helping him with the overlays, and it was quite interesting to see."
Most read
