© Jiri Krenek for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Mercedes reserve driver Nyck de Vries had the opportunity to be next to Toto Wolff on Mercedes’ pitwall during races, throughout the 2021 season.
As Mercedes’ reserve driver Nyck de Vries has the opportunity to learn from one of the best teams in the history of Formula 1. During races he can often be seen at the pitwall next to Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff and the team’s communications director.
The Dutch driver says he is often involved in the communication that goes on during the race.
“I’m definitely talking along,” De Vries told GPblog.
“The three of us talk about everything we observe during a race. Toto of course has direct contact with the pitwall. So if there are questions, or things we see, they are passed on to the team.
“It’s not like I’m standing there watching for an hour or two. It’s instructive to be able to watch how the battle goes.”
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Asked if he learned any ‘big new things’ while at the pitwall, de Vries said it’s more about observing the team at work.
“It’s not something you learn. It’s not a key to success. It’s just interesting to observe how such a successful team operates.
“To see what kind of people they are, how long they have worked, what the attitude is, how one communicates. How the drivers react in different situations and how they deal with it.
“It’s just our world, our sport that I live in. That’s what I grew up in, that’s what I do. And you can compare it all to what I’ve experienced and still do.
“So that’s just very instructive,” concluded the 2020/2021 Formula E champion.
