From the limelight to relative calm: Nyck de Vries has returned to Formula E after a failed adventure, the class in which he even became world champion in 2021. But the first ePrix of the season, over a week ago in Mexico, did not yet mark a return to glory for the former AlphaTauri driver. With Mahindra, he drove in the rear in the opening race of the Formula E season.
When De Vries signed a commitment with the modest Mahindra last year, he knew - combined with the Dutchman's limited experience in Gen3 cars - that tough early months awaited him in any case. Judging from Mexico, that too is coming true. Still, the outside world might think: failed with AlphaTauri, and now it doesn't succeed in Formula E either.
De Vries realistic about success
"It's funny, because often success, especially in our world, is only measured against results,”, De Vries said in conversation with The Race. "Of course, I fully respect that. But, you know, that doesn't mean that when you're not necessarily getting the results, your year or your season was a waste."
At Mahindra, De Vries has a two-year contract. Certainty for some time, in other words. Although the driver also had a multi-year contract in principle at AlphaTauri. Everyone knows what that commitment was worth in the end: "We do need to accept that in our world there is never a 100% guarantee and certainty that's part of the [racing] world," says De Vries, indicating (once again) that he is at peace with how his F1 adventure ended.