Getting a seat in the highest category of motorsport is something almost impossible, only reserved for a privileged few who, if they do not show their potential from the first races, will be on the starting shuttle to make way for new blood immediately.
It is something that Nyck de Vries has experienced, who saw how minutes before the start of the last free practice sessions of the 2022 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix, he had to fill the gap for Alexander Albon, who had to undergo emergency surgery for appendicitis.
The Dutchman already rolled that weekend in Monza, and he did the work of Sebastian Vettel in the first practice on Friday with an Aston Martin, but he would never have expected to make his debut in the race with Williams in that test. He did, and it couldn’t have been better for him as he garnered two valuable points for the Grove outfit, equaling the Brits’ best result of the year and well ahead of team-mate Nicholas Latifi.
That has caused him to be on the list of options that Williams manages to replace the Canadian, although de Vries has also sounded strong for more teams. However, his story could have been very different and he could have competed in the Grand Circus before his debut in the points.
His talent is undeniable, proof of this is the Formula E world title he achieved, and many Formula 1 drivers recognized his worth, such as Max Verstappen or George Russell, but he has someone closer than them, despite the fact that with one shares nationality and the other is his partner in Mercedes.
This is Lewis Hamilton, with whom he has also lived a lot in the Brackley team, but what really unites him with the seven-time champion is his father. Anthony, who managed his son’s career until 2010 , tried to get the Dutchman who was in McLaren’s orbit in his day to reach the Great Circus.
“Nyck [de Vries] is a very talented driver,” the Brit told Racing News 365 . “I have known him since he was very young, when he was at McLaren, my father tried to help him get into Formula 1. At the moment he is very important for our team, I am glad that they gave him that opportunity, he deserves to be in Grill”.
The Dutchman is a clear candidate to occupy one of the remaining free seats for the 2023 season . One option is Alpine, who are studying raising Jack Doohan from Formula 2 or hiring someone with more experience, such as Pierre Gasly, which would make way for de Vries to go to AlphaTauri, but if Williams does not opt for Logan Sargeant , it could land at Grove.
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