De Vries to run in FP1 for Williams in Spanish GP
Mercedes reserve driver Nyck de Vries is to take part in first practice for the Spanish Grand Prix for the Williams Formula 1 team, standing in for Alex Albon.
Under the 2022 rules, every team has to use two Friday sessions for a rookie driver over the course of the season.
It will be the first official appearance on track on a grand prix weekend for the Dutchman, who had his maiden outing in an F1 car with Mercedes in the young driver test in Abu Dhabi at the end of the 2020 season.
The Grove team says the Formula E champion "will aid the team's preparation work ahead of qualifying and the grand prix".
The timing of the arrival of de Vries at Williams is intriguing, as Mercedes is known to be keen to find a race seat for the former McLaren protege, and a source has confirmed that there have been talks with Williams about a 2023 seat.
Last week, an online rumour suggested that de Vries would replace Nicholas Latifi within this season, perhaps prompted by his appearance at the Williams factory for a seat fitting, but the team dismissed that.
"Firstly, I'd really like to thank Williams for the opportunity to run in FP1," said de Vries. "It's great for me to get to know the team and drive the FW44, and also to get myself out on track during a Formula 1 weekend.
"Preparation for the test is going well so far and the team have been incredibly supportive of me. I'm very much looking forward to the whole experience in Spain now."
Nyck de Vries, Mercedes F1 W11
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Head of vehicle performance David Robson said a different driver could provide useful input to the team.
"We are looking forward to having Nyck de Vries in the car for FP1 as it is always good to work with a new driver and get a fresh opinion on the car's strengths and weaknesses," said Robson.
"Nyck's experience and professionalism will be crucial on Friday as he will complete some of the key engineering tests in FP1 before he hands the car back to Alex for FP2."
Williams sporting director Sven Smeets, who has responsibility for young driver programmes, noted: "I'm looking forward to seeing Nyck join the team for FP1 at the Spanish Grand Prix.
"As he is a very talented and experienced driver I have no doubt that he'll maximise his time in the FW44 and deliver a strong, capable performance for the team."
Related video
Alpine expects Alonso/Piastri 2023 decision around British GP time
Pictured: The broken brake disc that caused Leclerc's Monaco Historic GP crash
Verstappen: "You're not a real fan" if you don't appreciate Red Bull F1 dominance
Verstappen: "You're not a real fan" if you don't appreciate Red Bull F1 dominance Verstappen: "You're not a real fan" if you don't appreciate Red Bull F1 dominance
Norris: F1 drivers don't "care enough" about impeding in qualifying
Norris: F1 drivers don't "care enough" about impeding in qualifying Norris: F1 drivers don't "care enough" about impeding in qualifying
Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise
Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise
De Vries poised for 2024 Toyota WEC seat after AlphaTauri F1 exit
De Vries poised for 2024 Toyota WEC seat after AlphaTauri F1 exit De Vries poised for 2024 Toyota WEC seat after AlphaTauri F1 exit
Who is Liam Lawson? Ricciardo F1 Dutch GP injury replacement
Who is Liam Lawson? Ricciardo F1 Dutch GP injury replacement Who is Liam Lawson? Ricciardo F1 Dutch GP injury replacement
The five challenges between Ricciardo and Perez's Red Bull F1 seat
The five challenges between Ricciardo and Perez's Red Bull F1 seat The five challenges between Ricciardo and Perez's Red Bull F1 seat
ROKiT set to refile Williams F1 legal case in California after Florida dismissal
ROKiT set to refile Williams F1 legal case in California after Florida dismissal ROKiT set to refile Williams F1 legal case in California after Florida dismissal
Why Williams F1 team believes it's no longer a "one-trick pony"
Why Williams F1 team believes it's no longer a "one-trick pony" Why Williams F1 team believes it's no longer a "one-trick pony"
How Monza shows Albon's transformation to fearsome F1 battler
How Monza shows Albon's transformation to fearsome F1 battler How Monza shows Albon's transformation to fearsome F1 battler
Porsche squad Manthey wants DTM race at Nordschleife in 2024
Porsche squad Manthey wants DTM race at Nordschleife in 2024 Porsche squad Manthey wants DTM race at Nordschleife in 2024
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Magazine: F1 Singapore GP review, AMABA finalists revealed
Magazine: F1 Singapore GP review, AMABA finalists revealed Magazine: F1 Singapore GP review, AMABA finalists revealed
Verstappen: "You're not a real fan" if you don't appreciate Red Bull F1 dominance
Verstappen: "You're not a real fan" if you don't appreciate Red Bull F1 dominance Verstappen: "You're not a real fan" if you don't appreciate Red Bull F1 dominance
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak
The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak
How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks
How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks
The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements
The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements
Could F1’s worst nightmare become its biggest selling point?
Could F1’s worst nightmare become its biggest selling point? Could F1’s worst nightmare become its biggest selling point?
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.