'De Vries gets promotion at Mercedes: Reserve role announced Tuesday'

Nyck de Vries drove to a fine victory in Formula E last weekend, but more good news seems to be emerging for him. Erik van Haren reports that the Dutchman will be announced as Mercedes' new reserve driver.

Update 10:45 - Mercedes confirm

Mercedes have confirmed in the press release surrounding the launch of the W12 that Nyck de Vries will be active as Mercedes' reserve driver in 2021. "We also have a strong Reserve Driver line-up for the 2021 season, with Stoffel Vandoorne continuing in the role alongside his Mercedes team-mate in Formula E, Nyck de Vries," the statement read. 

De Vries has been able to build up a nice CV in recent years. The man born in Sneek won the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, Formula Renault 2.0 Alps and in 2019 also the Formula 2 championship. A spot in Formula 1 was unfortunately not in the cards, but with a podium in his first season and a pole and victory in the first race of season two, De Vries is making an impression in Formula E.

Formula 1 for De Vries after all?

In the electric class, De Vries is part of the Mercedes team, which is trying to reach the top, just like in Formula 1. Next to De Vries is Stoffel Vandoorne, who almost had the chance to turn his reserve role at Mercedes into a race in Sakhir in 2020. Unfortunately for the Belgian, George Russell then got the lead.

In 2021, Vandoorne will probably get another competitor, because according to De Telegraaf reporter Erik van Haren, the promotion of the Dutchman will also be announced during the Mercedes presentation. De Vries will then become, just like Vandoorne, reserve driver for Mercedes and will thus get closer and closer to Formula 1.

Het is vandaag lanceringsdag bij Mercedes en Alpine. Mercedes gaat straks naar verwachting bekendmaken dat Nyck de Vries promotie heeft gekregen. Hij wordt nu ook reservecoureur bij het Formule 1-team, samen met Stoffel Vandoorne.

— Erik van Haren (@ErikvHaren) March 2, 2021