Lewis Hamilton has said that his father Anthony previously attempted to get a Formula 1 place for Nyck De Vries.
Williams called in the Mercedes backup driver to make his Grand Prix debut after Alex Albon fell unwell with appendicitis during the Italian Grand Prix.
De Vries, the 2019 Formula 2 champion, qualified 13th, but owing to grid penalties, he started the race eighth and finished a strong ninth to earn two points. He also avoided being disqualified after a stewards probe for erratic driving behind the Safety Car.
Hamilton, who acknowledged his father attempted to assist the Dutch driver, is eager to see De Vries promoted to a full-time F1 race seat.
Lewis’s early F1 career with McLaren was notably managed by Anthony Hamilton, and the two parted ways in 2010. The senior Hamilton thereafter took on the role of manager for drivers such as Paul di Resta and De Vries, who was at the time a young driver in McLaren’s squad.
“Nyck is a very talented driver, I knew him when he was very young,” Hamilton said. “When I was at McLaren, my father tried to help him get into Formula 1. He is really valuable to our team, and he does a lot for us in the simulator and he is always positive.”
“I was so happy to hear that he got the chance to drive a GP weekend. He deserves a place in Formula 1 in my opinion.”
De Vries has a few possibilities for a full F1 racing seat in 2023, but Williams and Alpine are the two obvious places for him to race. He is one of several drivers scheduled to participate in the latter’s three-day test at the Hungaroring the following week.
If Williams decide against extending Nicholas Latifi’s F1 career for the fourth season, de Vries might also choose to remain with the squad and possibly succeed the Canadian in 2023.
