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Nyck De Vries isn't getting carried away: Formula E is very competitive

Nyck De Vries isn't getting carried away: "Formula E is very competitive"

12-09-2019 10:03

Mercedes announced the signing of Nyck de Vries on Wednesday. Regardless as to whether the Dutchman will win Formula 2 or not, he will be racing in Formula E next season. Mercedes are dominating Formula 1, but will be new to the electric world of open-wheel racing. 

De Vries is well aware of how difficult it's going to be for Mercedes to get started in Formula E. The 24-year-old spoke to Motorsport.com about how the team won't be able to fight for race wins straight away. 

"It is very difficult to determine where we will be, because we have not been able to compete with the competition. Of course, we want to participate as quickly as possible to win, but Formula E is not a small class. It is very competitive and it will be a huge challenge for us as a newcomer," he said. 

In October, Formula E starts with a test in Valencia, where Mercedes can compete with the rest for the first time. "That test is about a real circuit, while we have all the races on the street. The circumstances are therefore very different. However, it is important to learn as much as possible about the car, but we only see where we are in Riyadh."

Riyadh, in Saudi Arabia, is the venue for the first race of the season. De Vries will join former McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne at Mercedes. Vandoorne left McLaren at the end of the 2018 Formula 1 season and jumped straight into Formula E. 

"Stoffel and I have known each other for a long time and that is only good for our cooperation. We want to achieve the best possible result together and that is only possible if we work together. It is therefore nice to ride next to him because he already has experience in the class," the Dutchman concludes.