Nyck de Vries’ life as an AlphaTauri driver has started in hilarious fashion, after being given a special send-off by Mercedes.
It’s been a bizarre and equally brilliant season for De Vries, who woefully attempted to defend his season seven Formula E World Championship.
It’s in Formula 1 where he’s increased his price tag this season, with the Dutchman perhaps being somewhat thankful that Alex Albon was ruled out of the Italian Grand Prix due to appendicitis.
In 2022, De Vries has driven in FP1 for Mercedes, Williams, Aston Martin and almost McLaren, something which would’ve happened had Lando Norris been unable to compete at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
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De Vries also took part in a private test for Alpine during the summer and will drive for his new side in the post-season young drivers’ test, marking a crazy year for the Dutchman.
He was signed by AlphaTauri following his remarkable F1 debut at Monza, where he drove for Williams after Albon was ruled out.
De Vries managed to make it to Q2 and then scored points on his debut, where he matched the team’s best result of the season.
His performance immediately caught the attention of the Red Bull family, who quickly snapped De Vries up to replace Pierre Gasly.
Whilst it wasn’t officially announced until the Japanese Grand Prix, it was well known that the Mercedes reserve was moving to the Faenza-based team.
Speaking in Abu Dhabi, team boss Franz Tost confirmed that De Vries will drive in the young drivers’ test, with the expectation being for the 27-year-old to “get familiar with the team”.
“Nyck de Vries will be the only driver in action at the Young Drivers Test and Yuki (Tsunoda) is doing the tyre test,” Tost told GPblog.
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“The expectations are clear, hopefully, he will be able to drive as many laps as possible, will learn the car, get familiar with the team and be well prepared for next year.”
Following the season finale, Mercedes ensured that De Vries was given the ultimate send-off, given that he’s been part of the Germans family for a few years now.
As well as being chucked into the marina, De Vries was tied to a tyre trolley and taken to the AlphaTauri garage, where he was dropped off by the Silver Arrows.