Mercedes doors open for De Vries: 'He will let me know'

F1 News

Mercedes has texted Nyck de Vries about returning
21 July 2023 at 15:03
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  • Kada Sarkozi
  • Editor

Mercedes man Andrew Shovlin would love to have Nyck de Vries back at Mercedes as a development driver, although the Brit assumes the Dutchman would rather be on the track in other racing classes, rather than retuning to the German team as a reserve/simulator driver.

The technical director has fond memories of working with De Vries during his time as a test and reserve driver with the team. The door is therefore definitely open: "He was certainly very useful for us in that role [ed. simulator driver], and would be welcome to get him back in that role, but I suspect that his focus will be on finding race seats and if it's not in Formula One, in some other big and competitive series."

'Paired with De Vries'

For Shovlin, there is no doubt that the former AlphaTauri driver has qualities. "He's clearly very talented. F2 champion, and Formula E champion, which is a very difficult series to win, and he'll be looking back to, you know to get into a winning seat again." The two have been in touch about a possible return, but the ball is in De Vries's court: "I've only spoken to him by text, and he said he'll let me know how his plans are coming on."