F1 News

Mercedes backs de Vries in switch: 'We can trust him'

18 October 2022 at 15:13
Last update 18 October 2022 at 15:21
  • GPblog.com

Nyck de Vries will make the switch to AlphaTauri next season, but it is not yet so far. Indeed, behind the scenes, he is still working at Mercedes, where he will reportedly take charge of the first free practice in Mexico. Mike Elliott fully trusts him in this, he told Formule1.nl.

As AlphaTauri is Red Bull Racing's sister team, it could be dangerous for the German formation to continue working with De Vries for the rest of the racing year. This is because the Dutchman has the ability to channel information to Red Bull, which would give the Austrians an advantage for 2023.

However, Elliott got to know De Vries well over the past few years and is therefore convinced that the driver will not do so. "We can trust him not to look at the things we don't want him to look at. And I think he will do well," he stressed in the interview.

Elliott hopes for stronger Mercedes in 2023

Earlier this week, the racing stable's technical director revealed that Mercedes is working hard internally to come back stronger in 2023. However, Elliott finds it difficult to predict where the German team will be at the start of next season.