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Mercedes Formula E driver Nyck de Vries has been announced as the team’s Formula 1 reserve driver, and he doesn’t hide how grateful he is.
Mercedes’ Formula E duo of Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne have been announced as the team’s Formula 1 reserve drivers of 2021.
De Vries is getting the opportunity after he brought Mercedes its first Formula E win at this year’s Diriyah E-Prix. The Dutchman is happy that Mercedes has shown its appreciation in this way.
”I appreciate it very much that they show it in this way,” de Vries told Dutch Motorsport.com.
“I am very grateful for that. I am very grateful for all the opportunities they have given me so far and the confidence they have shown in me.
“But at the same time I realise very well how this sport works. You are only as good as your last race. It is always about performing and that is what I focus on.”
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Last year, when Lewis Hamilon was forced to miss a race due to COVID-19, Mercedes decided to skip their reserve drivers and give the coveted drive to its young driver George Russell. De Vries was asked if he expects a similar scenario in 2021, if one of the two Mercedes drivers is not able to compete.
”I think it depends on the situation. Last year in Bahrain the situation was quite special. They knew very early on that Lewis had tested positive.
“And we all know how good George is and that he is next in line, so I thought that decision in itself was quite understandable. Of course, you never know if that opportunity will come at all.”
However, de Vries, who currently sits at the top of the Formula E Championship Standings, is focused on his main job in the all-electric series.
”Of course this is a nice gesture from Mercedes, but in the end my priority is Formula E. There we are building a nice team and we have had a good start of the season.
“That is really where my focus lies”, concluded the young Dutchman.
