Nyck de Vries return to F1 happened in a surprise private test with McLaren albeit the team declined to convey more details.
The unexpected development took place at the Circuit Paul Ricard in France, where the Dutch driver was behind the wheel of the McLaren MCL36, a car from the 2022 F1 season.
According to RacingNews365, the test was not related to tyre testing by Pirelli but was classified as a Testing of Previous Cars (TPC). This type of testing allows teams to evaluate cars that are at least two years old without the stringent restrictions that typically apply to current F1 machinery.
De Vries first captured the attention of the F1 world during the 2022 Italian Grand Prix when he stepped in for an unwell Alex Albon at Williams and finished an impressive ninth place. His performance led to a contract with Red Bull’s junior team, AlphaTauri, for the 2023 season.
However, his time with AlphaTauri was short-lived; after just ten races he was replaced by Daniel Ricciardo, marking a challenging period in his racing career.
Since then, de Vries has continued to compete in other racing series including Formula E and the World Endurance Championship (WEC), where he recently celebrated a constructors’ title with Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe.
The reasons behind Nyck de Vries return to F1 to test with the Woking-based outfit remain somewhat unclear as speculation suggests that it may be linked to recent changes within its driver lineup.
Gabriel Bortoleto, who has been performing exceptionally well in Formula 2 and is currently leading the championship, is set to leave McLaren for Sauber at the end of the season. This shift could open up opportunities within team Papaya’s ranks and possibly lead to de Vries being considered for a role within the team.
McLaren’s decision to make Nyck de Vries return to F1 happen might also reflect their strategy to bolster their driver development program as they prepare for future seasons.
The 29-year old has a history with McLaren; he was part of their junior program before moving on to Red Bull. Therefore his return could signify a potential interest from the team in re-establishing their connection with him, especially as they look toward building a competitive team for the upcoming seasons.
The private test at Paul Ricard is also significant for McLaren as they seek to improve their performance on track. The team has faced challenges in recent seasons and is keen on finding drivers who can contribute positively to their development efforts.
Testing older cars like the MCL36 allows teams to gather valuable data and insights that can be applied to their current and future car designs.
As Formula 1 continues to evolve with new regulations and technological advancements, teams are increasingly looking for innovative ways to enhance their competitiveness. Engaging experienced drivers like de Vries can provide fresh perspectives and insights that are crucial for development.
Moreover, his participation in the test could serve as an opportunity for him to showcase his skills once again in front of team management and potentially secure a more permanent role within an F1 team moving forward.
Given De Vries’ prior experience in F1 and his recent accomplishments in other series, he remains a valuable asset in the eyes of many teams looking for talent.
McLaren is currently leading the 2024 F1 Constructors standings with only three races remaining this season.
