Mercedes might should let gifted reserve driver Nyck de Vries go away with a view to fulfil his ambition of turning into a Formula One driver.
De Vries, 27, has received world titles in Formula E and Formula, and loved a run out in observe on the French Grand Prix final weekend standing in for Lewis Hamilton.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff described the Dutchman’s efficiency as “very, very good” after clocking solely half a second down on Hamilton’s teammate George Russell.
With Mercedes’ two seats firmly occupied, there was speak of De Vries chopping his enamel at Mercedes’ accomplice Williams simply as Russell did, however Wolff says he can not drive such a transfer.
“I can’t really help him,” Wolff advised Sky Sports F1. “We can’t tell a team to look at him because that feels like interference and then it goes the contrary way.
“I think if we are not able to provide him with an interesting Formula 1 project, in a way we need to let him go. He’s looking at various options, sports cars, maybe Formula E, but you just must never give up on the opportunity that one day a Formula 1 door can open. Today was very, very good.”
Wolff mentioned he was bemused to see Hamilton sitting in his personal crew principal seat teaching De Vries across the circuit.
“I was a bit confused because I came in there and he was sat in my seat. I thought, why are you not in the car! It was interesting because he was coaching Nyck, he was helping him with the overlays. That was interesting to see.”
