Mercedes FE drivers “deserve” F1 shots amid Williams links

Toto Wolff says Mercedes Formula E drivers Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries both “deserve to be in Formula 1” amid ties to a potentially vacant Williams seat in 2022.

Amid speculation that George Russell will move from Williams to partner Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next season, with current incumbent Valtteri Bottas associated with Alfa Romeo, the 2019 FIA Formula 2 champion became de Vries as a potential replacement designated for Russell.

His Mercedes F1 reserve colleague Vandoorne has also stepped into the frame for the seat to reunite with new Williams CEO Jost Capito, with the couple known to get along well. The duo overlapped at McLaren Racing in 2016 before Capito split from the Woking team while former chairman Ron Dennis, who hired the German, was transferred to gardening.

After potential changes by de Vries and Vandoorne gained momentum on social media last week, Mercedes motorsport director Wolff told Motorsport.com that he “very much” hopes that both drivers will find their way into F1.

After competing in the London E-Prix, where de Vries climbed from ninth to second while Vandoorne moved up from 14th to seventh, Wolff said: “Both drivers have the talent and work ethic and intelligence to get in to be in Formula 1 they have won the most important junior series [FIA Formula 2, formerly GP2 Series].

“Stoffel was thrown into a situation with McLaren that was difficult to deal with at the time. Both deserve to be Formula 1 and I very much hope that they will find their way back. “

Also read:

Nyck de Vries, Mercedes Benz EQ, EQ Silver Arrow 02, Stoffel Vandoorne, Mercedes Benz EQ, EQ Silver Arrow 02

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

When asked whether Wolff would be willing to let the drivers go despite the possible damage to his company’s Formula E activities, he replied: “I am really happy to have them as our drivers in Formula E who can I do not wish. ”someone else. But I wouldn’t stand in the way of any driver if he had the opportunity to drive in Formula 1. “

Regarding the links to the Williams set, de Vries told Motorsport.com, “I read that rumor too and it was probably as surprising to you as it was to me. I am very satisfied with Mercedes and Formula E and I want to be successful here.

“Whatever happens in the longer or medium term, I don’t know.”

Vandoorne’s F1 take was marked by finishing 16th for McLaren Racing in the 2016 and ’17 seasons when he was Fernando Alonso’s teammate. The Belgian was about to replace Hamilton for the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix when the seven-time world champion tested positive for COVID-19 and the ride eventually went to Russell.

When asked if Vandoorne said he owed him a favor from Wolff and Mercedes for this opportunity, he said, “I don’t think so, to be honest. Formula 1 from my side, I already had the opportunity to be part of it.

“I was there with McLaren, not in the best conditions, we say. For me, it’s not a must, it’s not an obsession, as if I have to be there.

“It’s going up [at Williams] but I don’t have it in the back of my mind. “