Nyck de Vries is set to make his Formula One GP race debut at the Italian GP in Monza. De Vries will see a second Dutch driver on an F1 grid for the first time and the young Mercedes protoge is believed to be ‘the next big thing’. Nick has already completed three FP1 sessions this season for Williams, Mercedes and Aston Martin this weekend, something which is unprecedented – though each of these outfits run Mercedes power units.
Williams released the following statement.
“Williams Racing can confirm that, after feeling unwell this morning and seeking medical advice from the FIA and local hospital, Alex Albon is now undergoing treatment for appendicitis,” the team said in a statement.
“Following on from this, we can confirm that the team’s Reserve Driver Nyck de Vries will drive in place of Alex for the remainder of the Italian Grand Prix weekend. Alex is in good spirits and the team wishes him a speedy recovery.”
Alex Albon appears philosophical over matters
Appendicitis, surgery and no racing isn’t what I was expecting this weekend!
Negatives:
– Missing out on what looks like a strong weekend for us
– PainPositives
– Weight reduction for Singapore
– Cool scars pic.twitter.com/HOfA18eF5W— Alex Albon (@alex_albon) September 10, 2022
If Alex Albon does require surgery it is highly unlikely he’ll be fit for the Singapore GP in a couple of weeks. This will offer De Vries another job interview as he challenges for a seat on the 2023 F1 grid.
Given his FP1 runs, De Vries is now the most experienced driver about to step into Formula One and his performance compared to team mate Latifi will be closely scrutinised.
De Vries claimed the F2 Championship in 2019, before taking the crown of the 2019/20 season. De Vries has continued with Mercedes Formula E squad and is their reserve driver.
Not the youngest of junior drivers, Nyck is 27 and was set for Latifi’s seat at Williams if the paddock whispers are to be believed.
De Vries completed 22 laps over the course of Friday’s practice session at Monza before handing the Aston Martin car back to Sebastian Vettel for the second outing of the day.
The young Dutchman will be the first driver in F1 in modern history to drive for two different constructors on the same GP weekend. Graham Hill did practice in a Brabham because his Lotus was late to the circuit. He later qualified and raced in his regular car.
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Watch @JamieChadwick take on a hotlap of Monza! 🇮🇹#WeAreWilliams #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/Cn42A6jDoT
— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) September 9, 2022
