Mercedes driver ‘flattered’ to be linked with F1 move

Nyck de Vries is one of the drivers who has been linked with Nicholas Latifi's Williams seat.

Reigning Formula E champion Nyck de Vries is humbled to see his name being linked with a Formula 1 drive, but he is not stressing over finding a place in the pinnacle of motorsport.

De Vries won two races and finished on the podium four times last season as he won the Formula E title with the Mercedes EQ team, helping the German side to the teams’ championship alongside Stoffel Vandoorne as well.

This year has not proven to be the easiest though and, despite his win in Diriyah at the start of the season, the Dutchman’s title defence has not gone as planned.

READ: Mercedes boss eager to see how potential Lewis Hamilton replacement performs

The 27-year-old has taken just two podiums since then, earning a win in Berlin before finishing third in London last time out.

De Vries sits eighth in the Drivers’ Standings as a result, although he and Vandoorne still lead the way for Mercedes, 36 points clear of Venturi.

A distraction from his electric exploits has been his running in F1, and he partook in the first practice session in Spain for Williams, finishing 18th and ahead of Nicholas Latifi.

He was then given a run in France with Mercedes, and he impressed there too, winding up ninth and just half a second adrift of George Russell.

The Dutchman tested with the Meyer Shank IndyCar team a few months back, and they too were pleased with his display, so there are likely to be options available to de Vries when McLaren take over from Mercedes in season 10 of Formula E.

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Given that McLaren have such an extensive driver pool, de Vries will likely not find a seat with them, and neither will Vandoorne, despite their close links with the F1 operation earlier in their careers.

However, the Williams seat could be up for grabs if Williams decide to axe the improving Latifi, but that is something that de Vries cannot control, so he chooses not to think about it.

“It’s really out of my control and to that point, I won’t be able to influence the teams,” he said in discussion with the Independent.

“The only way to continue your career successfully forwards is to perform and deliver on track and that’s what I’ll be trying to do in the remainder of the season.

“I feel flattered to see my name come up, but it’s not something in my control and not my decision, time will tell what my future brings… I just try to live in the moment.”

The four-time race winner in Formula E detailed the pressure he felt before his FP1 outings, but affirmed that it all came naturally once he got into the car.

READ: Lewis Hamilton to make way for Nyck de Vries at 2022 French Grand Prix

“It’s a difficult balance in FP1 because it was an opportunity to show my worth, but at the same time I had to be sensible,” added de Vries.

“There is a bit of additional pressure and all sorts of thoughts going through your head, but all that matters is you and the car.

“As soon as you put your helmet on and you drive out of the garage, that’s all I know. 

“Luckily enough I’ve been doing this for some years now and I know the people in the garage so I felt their support, which is certainly what you need in those moments.”

Two rounds remain of the current Formula E season, and they both take place this weekend in South Korea this weekend.

De Vries is mathematically out of contention, but Vandoorne, Mitch Evans and Eduardo Mortara are all in with a shout of claiming the gold.