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Silly season is well and truly underway, keeping us fans fully entertained as we endure the annual summer break. It’s got us thinking, could Nyck De Vries make a surprise move from Formula E to Formula 1 next year?
The Dutch driver is currently competing in his second Formula E season for the Mercedes-EQ team and it could be this link to the reigning F1 world champions that proves pivotal to his chances of getting a promotion to the top.
With two race wins under his belt, the 26 year old is leading the championship by six points after round 13 of 15, despite suffering four DNF’s.
An FE world title would add to an already impressive CV as prior to his time in the all electric series, De Vries has shown huge potential in his rise through the ranks from karting.
After winning the 2010 and 2011 Karting World Championships, he found success in Formula Renault, GP3 and Formula 2 – where he was crowned world champion in 2019 before his move to FE.
Many were surprised that after winning the F2 championship, De Vries didn’t get a shot at the top. However, it spoke volumes that Mercedes valued his talents and expertise to propel them forward as they broadened their motorsport conquest into FE.
Credit: Francois Nel , Source: Getty
For De Vries though, like all top racing drivers, the end goal has always been F1. This has been clear since his karting days, as he signed with McLaren’s Young Driver Programme during his Karting World Championship winning year of 2010.
He remained part of the programme until 2019, where he left to focus on duties with the Audi Sport Racing Academy but it wasn’t long before Mercedes staked their claim in the talented Dutchman.
Mercedes quickly gave him a taste of life at the top, as he and his FE teammate Stoffel Vandoorne participated in their first F1 test in 202o during the end of season Young Drivers test at Abu Dhabi.
In 2021, as De Vries pushes to give himself and Mercedes’ a first FE world title, he also stands alongside Vandoorne as one of their F1 reserve drivers.
Credit: Rudy Carezzevoli, Source: Getty
As far as 2022 is concerned, giving them that FE title would be a huge statement and surely that should give him the right to be taken into serious consideration.
The fight for the Mercedes seat is undoubtedly between George Russell and Valtteri Bottas but surely De Vries could be lined up for a shot at Williams – either replacing Nicholas Latifi or taking Russell’s vacant seat should he get his dream drive.
Either way, it would be an electrifying moment in De Vries’ career and the ultimate reward for his patience and maturity over the last few years. It would also be a huge moment for FE as they could also cement themselves as an F1 feeder series alongside F2.
