Reigning Formula E World Champion Nyck de Vries got behind the wheel of Mercedes’ Formula 1 car during the opening free practice session in France on Friday, replacing Lewis Hamilton for the session.
De Vries’ run came as part of F1’s updated regulations for 2022, which will see all teams give two free practice outings to rookie drivers.
As de Vries holds the role of Mercedes’ test and reserve role as well as a race seat for the team in Formula E, he was given the chance to drive the W13 car at the Circuit Paul Ricard.
It marked his second FP1 outing of the year, as he stepped into the Williams car earlier this season at the Spanish Grand Prix.
De Vries ended the session in ninth place after setting 22 laps during the day, lapping half a second slower than the other Mercedes of George Russell.
“It was pretty cool,” de Vries said. “It was very fast and I really loved the experience and the opportunity. So I’m very pleased actually.
“Of course I’m competitive and I always think I could’ve done better. On the second lap of my Soft run, I felt like I left something on the table because I didn’t really do a good job.
“But ultimately it was a very good session in general. I think I was quickly on the pace, I felt quickly comfortable with the car. The team was very supportive, we got the kind of information we needed. Overall it was a very productive session.”
Mercedes brought minor upgrades to the car for the weekend, as it hopes to have one of its more competitive outings of the season so far in France.
However, Hamilton and Russell both admitted after FP2 that currently, the team was competing below the expectations it formed ahead of the event.
De Vries insists that it is “still early in the weekend to judge if they [the upgrades] bring what is expected, adding that Mercedes will “do the learning and analysis overnight and hopefully it will bring what is expected”.
The Dutchman revealed that he was supported throughout his on-track session by Hamilton, who watched on from the Mercedes garage.
“Lewis was very helpful, he was even on the radio when I was connected to the umbilical during the session,” de Vries commented. “He was very supportive, which was very kind.”
The 27-year-old is set to take part in further FP1 sessions later this season, but was coy on revealing details.
“Let’s see, the regulations are enforcing the teams to run a rookie driver in several FP1s which puts me in a good position for at least the FP1s – we’ll see.”
