Nyck de Vries’ hopes of entering Formula 1 next year could be dashed by the association of the Formula E world champion with Mercedes.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said he was interested in finding a starting place for De Vries the next year after George Russell was promoted to the world championship team.
Williams’ confirmation yesterday that Red Bull-backed driver Alexander Albon will take his place on the team next year alongside Nicholas Latifi Russell, however, closed a door to De Vries.
The only likely path for De Vries to get into Formula 1 is Alfa Romeo, which Valtteri Bottas has signed to fill one of his two seats next season. Team boss Frederic Vasseur told RaceFans, however, that there were complications when the Ferrari customer team hired a Mercedes-supported driver.
“De Vries looks complicated to me because he has a strong connection with Mercedes,” said Vasseur. “It is much easier for us to deal with someone who is under contract with Ferrari than with someone who is under contract with Mercedes.”
Incumbent Antonio Giovinazzi, previously a Ferrari junior driver, is still being considered for a fourth season with the team, Vasseur said.
“He’s been part of the deal in the past and will be part of the discussion with Ferrari,” he said. “We have a very strong connection and very open discussions and it will never be a problem to deal with Antonio and Ferrari.”
However, Vasseur admitted that the team is considering a move for one of the leading drivers in Formula 2. Alpine is known for finding a spot at the top of the table for its junior driver Guanyu Zhou, who is currently following another of its junior runners, reigning Formula 3 champion, Oscar Piastri.
Meanwhile, Sauber, who heads Alfa Romeo’s F1 team, also had the highly rated 18-year-old Theo Pourchaire on his junior program. Vasseur wants to see how the upcoming Formula 2 races in Monza and Sochi develop before he makes his decision.
“We will have a good picture of the junior series by the end of September,” he said. “Antonio is part of the family, he has taken some good steps. I think we are in no rush to make a decision considering the global picture.
“I want to focus on what we’re doing, give them time to show what they can, everyone, and we’ll probably make a decision in early October.”
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