Chance of F1 seat for De Vries shrinks after Albon news from Williams

A few days ago, Nyck de Vries's chances of a seat in Formula One for 2022 seemed very good, but with Alexander Albon and Nicholas Latifi now confirmed by Williams for next year, there is only one place left for the Dutchman. Will that chance in F1 still come, or will it again pass under the nose of De Vries?

The Formula E world champion De Vries had been linked with a move to Williams, but they have now confirmed their drivers.

F1 grid of 2022

Only a few spots are really open for the 2022 Formula 1 grid. There is no official confirmation from Aston Martin yet, but the team almost certainly stick with Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll. The only teams where there is still uncertainty are Haas and Alfa Romeo.

At Haas there is an internal struggle, but with Mazepin senior as a major sponsor of Haas and Mick Schumacher as the best performing of the two, it seems unlikely that Haas would throw one of the two out the door. Mick could still make the move to Alfa Romeo, but a contract extension with Haas seems more likely.

Then there is only one real remaining seat, and that is one at Alfa Romeo, next to Valtteri Bottas. 

Chance at Alfa Romeo

Valtteri Bottas has already been confirmed by Alfa Romeo this week, but the announcement of the second driver is still pending. Antonio Giovinazzi is still under contract, but there are doubts about the Italian. For sponsor Alfa Romeo and Ferrari as engine supplier, it is nice to have an Italian driving for Alfa Romeo, but Frederic Vasseur might want to look further afield. There are many possibilities.

Apart from De Vries, Callum Ilott, the team's current reserve driver is also mentioned. Guanyu Zhou would like to make the switch from Formula 2, and also the name of Nico Hulkenberg remains stubbornly linked to Formula 1. Considerable competition for De Vries.

De Vries has a small chance

Besides these names, there is also one big outsider. What to think, for example, of Sauber-talent, Theo Pouchaire? At 18 years old he might be too young and inexperienced for Formula 1, but the team will certainly take his arrival in 2023 into account. A one year contract for whoever is brought to Alfa Romeo therefore seems only logical.

With the announcement of Williams, the chances of De Vries joining Formula 1 have diminished considerably. It is painful for De Vries that his rival from F2 (Latifi) can keep his seat at Williams with his bag of money, but De Vries must now hope for a chance at Vasseur's team.