Williams have announced that Nyck De Vries will drive for the team in FP1 of 2022 Spanish Grand Prix.
2021 Formula E champion, De Vries will make his F1 debut for Williams in the first of F1’s mandated two FP1 sessions for young drivers this season, with the Dutchman replacing Alex Albon in the session with the Thai driver returning to his car from FP2 onwards for the rest of weekend.
Speaking about his opportunity to participate in an official F1 session for Williams, De Vries said: “Firstly, I’d really like to thank Williams for the opportunity to run in FP1.
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 One 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!”
Williams’ Head of Vehicle Performance, Dave Robson added that he can’t wait to welcome De Vries to the team as he seeks “fresh opinion” on the “strengths and weaknesses” of the FW44.
Robson also iterated that the 27 year-old’s “experience and professionalism will be crucial” as he conducts key engineering tests in FP1, ready to hand the car over to Albon for the rest of the weekend.
Sporting Director, Sven Smeets meanwhile hailed De Vries as “a very talented and experienced driver” that he believes will be able to “deliver a strong, capable performance” in the car.
Albon is very experienced around Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, having previously visited the circuit for seven competitive race weekends throughout his career on top of various tests.
The Thai driver therefore is confident that he won’t be impacted too badly by missing FP1 as he added: “That familiarity will work in my favour this weekend and help me get up to speed more quickly after sitting out FP1 whilst Nyck is in the car.”
De Vries is also one of Mercedes’ two reserve & test drivers alongside Stoffel Vandoorne who previously drove in F1 between 2016-18 for McLaren.
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