The FIA Formula 2 and Formula E champion was dropped by the Red Bull stable only 10 races into his full-time rookie F1 season in favour of a return for Daniel Ricciardo.
Helmut Marko, the motorsport advisor for Red Bull, expressed his opinion that de Vries failed to deliver a standout performance during any of his laps, which was disappointing compared to his teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
De Vries shared on social media: “Naturally, it is painful that my long-held dream of an F1 opportunity came to an early conclusion. However, life is not solely about reaching a specific goal; it is a continuous journey. Occasionally, one must endure challenges in order to reach their desired destination.”
While de Vries considers his options, Mercedes F1 engineering director Andrew Shovlin has said the 28-year-old Dutch driver would be “welcome” back at Brackley in a reserve role.
However, he reckons de Vries will instead covet a return to a front-lone race seat rather than take a job out of the limelight.
When Motorsport.com inquired about the possibility of de Vries joining Mercedes, Shovlin responded by stating that de Vries would likely desire more than just a role as a simulator driver and would prefer to engage in actual racing.
I have only communicated with him through text messages, and he mentioned that he will inform me about the progress of his plans.
“He was undeniably valuable to us in that position and we would gladly have him return to it. However, I anticipate that his priority will be securing race seats.”
Sir Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W14, leads Nyck de Vries, AlphaTauri AT04
Photo by: James Sutton / Motorsport Images
“If it’s not within the realm of Formula 1, then it can be found in another prominent and fiercely competitive racing series. It is evident that he possesses exceptional skills, having achieved the title of F2 champion and Formula E champion, a highly challenging series to triumph in.”
“He will be reflecting on his past in order to secure a position of success once more.”
De Vries, who won his Formula E title with Mercedes, was contracted to the F1 team as a test and reserve driver from 2020-22.
He was also in line to deputise for its powertrain customer teams Williams, Aston Martin and McLaren.
When Alex Albon was sidelined by appendicitis, de Vries impressed by scoring ninth in the 2022 Italian Grand Prix for Williams.
Mercedes has now substituted de Vries with Mick Schumacher, a former Haas driver, to conduct testing on the W14 and handle most of the team’s simulator tasks.
Since de Vries was let go, he has been photographed with Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff.
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