Nyck de Vries disproves rumour that Mercedes dropped Mazepin

This week it was announced that Nyck de Vries will take part in the test for young talents for Mercedes in Abu Dhabi. Because the announcement took place just after the fuss surrounding Nikita Mazepin, the rumour soon spread that the Russian was originally meant to be in the car.

However, on the basis of De Vries' comments in Formula 1 Café on Ziggo Sport, it can be said that this assumption is unlikely. "It is also a bit unexpected for me. Of course, I have known for some time. It is, of course, a fantastic opportunity and I am very grateful that Mercedes has given me this opportunity."

The hosts ask when the 2019 F2 champ knew: "October, around the 20th or so. The people around me knew it, but indeed I had to keep it quiet for a while." When he is then specifically asked if it has something to do with Mazepin, De Vries keeps himself out of the discussion, but his timeline seems to rule this out.

Do not underestimate Mazepin

"I don't know, I had nothing to do with that. In any case, I know that I had the phone call in October. Nikita may have a certain reputation, but I am convinced that he can show pretty good things," De Vries comes to that conclusion by comparing his performance in Formula 2 with that of Mick Schumacher. Especially in qualifying the Russian was often faster.