De Vries to drive in Monza FP1 for Aston Martin
Ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, Aston Martin has announced that Mercedes F1 reserve driver Nyck de Vries will drive for the Silverstone based team during the opening free practice for this week’s Monza race.
The 2022 regulations have been tweaked for the current season, and require now that all teams complete two Free Practice sessions using drivers who have competed in no more than two Grands Prix.
The 2021 Formula E champion will drive alongside Lance Stroll at this weekend's Italian Grand Prix, replacing Sebastian Vettel, and has already undertaken extensive simulator work at AMF1’s Silverstone headquarters in preparation for the session.
The 27-year-old Dutchman has already participated in two sessions this year: in Spain he stood in for Alex Albon at Williams, and he substituted for Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in France.
Commenting on the announcement, de Vries said: “I am really looking forward to driving for AMF1, particularly at such a legendary circuit as Monza. It will be my third FP1 session of the season, and in the third different Formula One chassis, and these opportunities have given me a fantastic insight into how Formula One cars and teams function and operate. I hope I can bring a fresh perspective to the AMF1 team and can undertake a run-programme that proves beneficial to us both.”
Team Principal Mike Krack added: “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 One – and, hopefully, this opportunity to get behind the wheel of the AMR22 will allow him to showcase his abilities to the wider world," Krack concluded.
The British outfit has yet to confirm who will undertake driving duties in the one slot remaining to be filled this year.
