F1 French GP: Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has confirmed that Nick de Vries will be given his chance to wow this weekend at the French Grand Prix by replacing Lewis Hamilton in the first practice session. De Vries was initially signed to McLaren’s Young Drivers Program in 2010 before joining Mercedes as a reserve driver last year. Follow the French Formula 1 and GP LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN
Wolf said: “The third and fourth in Austria was a satisfactory result for the whole team, especially given the position we were in on Friday night.”
End of this week Tweet embed He will take the W13 wheel for FP1. ?
This weekend Lewis chose to meet the first of two young driver sessions required by all teams this season. George chose one later this year. pic.twitter.com/aNimIvCClU
– Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@mercedesAMGF1) 20 July 2022
“The team worked miracles getting two full race cars ready for Sprint and Grand Prix. 27 points on Sunday was a good reward for the effort. We scored three podiums in the first seven races, and now have four in the last four. I am happy with the momentum we are building, It reflects the tremendous effort of the team. Our understanding of the W13 competition is increasing with each lap, and it is encouraging to see that reflected in our development and results,” Wolf added.
“While we were faster in Austria, we weren’t fast enough for a challenge up front. We need to keep chasing those last few tenths and introducing new developments in cars, including this weekend in France. Paul Ricard is a very different track and challenge. It has a runway. Smooth airport and a wide range of angle types, along with long straights,” Wolf added as well.
“The goal is to get some more lead over the gap in the front and hopefully get back on the podium. Nick replaces Lewis in first practice this weekend, as part of the sessions for young drivers this year. So, we are looking forward to seeing how he progresses,” Wolf concluded.
The 2019 F2 champion has been selected for a seat in F1 next year. However, he ended up joining the Formula E Championship for Mercedes. He set out to climb to the Formula E Championship in his second year and is currently looking to make his name in F1.
? NYCK DE VRIES IS THE 2019 FORMULA 2 Champion pic.twitter.com/AFsPDylG3G
– F1 FeederSeries (@F1FeederSeries1) September 28, 2019
The 27-year-old made his F1 debut this year when he replaced Alex Albon in FP1 at the Spanish Grand Prix. After de Vries’ outing in Barcelona, the Dutchman is portrayed as a wolf ‘insurance contract’ Hamilton must leave F1.
? Nyck De Vries will drive to Williams during practice for this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix ?? taking Albon’s seat in FP1 # F1 #Formula 1 #SpanishGP # williams # nickdefries # sports pic.twitter.com/qWLN7Z1h7q
– Motorsport.com (Motorsport) May 16 2022
New guidelines set for 2022 mean that each group must allow young people a chance at at least two FP1 sessions. Mercedes has now confirmed that Hamilton will give up his seat at the weekend in favor of De Vries while George Russell will step down later in the year.
