Aston Martin has confirmed that 2019 Formula 2 Champion Nyck de Vries will be taking over driving duties during Free Practice 1 at this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.
It will be the third time this year the Dutchman has driven in a practice session on a Grand Prix weekend, previously driving for Williams at Barcelona as well as Mercedes at Paul Ricard. For Monza, de Vries will be replacing Sebastian Vettel during the opening F1 session of the race weekend.
“I am really looking forward to driving for AMF1, particularly at such a legendary circuit as Monza,” he said of his opportunity.
“It will be my third FP1 session of the season, and in the third different Formula 1 chassis, and these opportunities have given me a fantastic insight into how Formula 1 cars and teams function and operate.
“I hope I can bring a fresh perspective to the AMF1 team and can undertake a run program that proves beneficial to us both.”
De Vries’ selection as a driver by Aston Martin is part of the requirement to run two practice sessions with drivers with less than two races in F1.
Aston Martin Team Principal Mike Krack added that the Mercedes reserve driver was fully deserving of the chance.
“We are delighted to welcome Nyck to our team, and we look forward to working with him at Monza.
“I have watched Nyck’s career with great interest – he drove brilliantly to win the Formula 2 title in 2019 and underlined his class by winning the Formula E World Championship in 2020/2021, so we are looking forward to gaining his perspectives and insights about our car.
“His achievements show that he clearly deserves a shot at Formula 1 – and, hopefully, this opportunity to get behind the wheel of the AMR22 will allow him to showcase his abilities to the wider world.”
