Home F1 News Toto Wolff says Nyck de Vries "showed what he's capable of doing"
Toto Wolff says Nyck de Vries "showed what he's capable of doing"
September 12, 2022 September 12, 2022 F1 News
At the Italian Grand Prix, Mercedes' reserve driver Nyck de Vries impressed everyone in his Formula 1 race debut. Nyck and Toto Wolff give their first comments.
2019 Formula 2 champion, and 2020/2021 Formula E champion (with Mercedes), Nyck de Vries has amazingly not been able to get a Formula 1 seat yet.
However, at the Italian Grand Prix he got the opportunity to make his Formula 1 race debut, when Williams driver Alex Albon was sidelined with apendicitis.
The Dutch driver impressed everyone when the managed to get into Q2 in qualifying, and the next day in the race he finished in P9, and scored his first two F1 points.
After the race, he was ecstatic.
"The whole experience, from yesterday until now, has just been a dream," Nyck said.
"Jumping on a car on the drivers' parade and seeing all the excitement for Formula 1, getting the opportunity to race, starting in the top 10, executing a good race, scoring points debut, being called 'Driver of the Day' – it's been amazing."
Asked if he sees himself getting a permanent seat in F1 in 2023, de Vries said:
"Ultimately, it's not up to me to decide whether I should have a seat or not. Of course, I can only do my job.
"We live in a competitive industry, so you're as good as your last race, and you're always expected to perform – luckily I did that this weekend and I grabbed this opportunity with both hands."
Talking to Sky Sports after the race, Toto Wolff was full of praise for Mercedes' reserve driver.
"I think, what else should he do in terms of performance than what he has shown today?" Wolff asked rhetorically.
"No training, jumped in a car that he hadn't driven, straight into FP3.
"Yeah, it showed what he's capable of doing," the Austrian concluded.
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