Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says talks are taking place over a Formula 1 role for Nyck de Vries, and that he would not stand in the Dutchman’s way.
De Vries, the 2019 Formula 2 champion, won the 2020/21 Formula E championship, and also holds a reserve role with Mercedes’ Formula 1 team.
Alfa Romeo has a vacancy following the retirement of Kimi Räikkönen, with Antonio Giovinazzi’s future uncertain, while Williams is poised to have a free berth on account of George Russell’s expected promotion to Mercedes.
“Nyck is a Mercedes driver in Formula E and he’s won the Formula E world championship and helped us to win the Constructors’ World Championship, and he’s an extremely important member of that team,” said Wolff.
“I admired his decision back in the day after winning the F2 title to say ‘I want to be part of a works team and that’s why I’m joining Mercedes in Formula E rather than running behind the dream in Formula 1’.
“And now the time has come that people recognise his talent and his ability, and therefore there’s talks taking place, but for us what’s most important is that he stays within the family.
“I don’t want to really lose him at that stage for another Formula E championship but I wouldn’t block him for Formula 1.”
Red Bull is pushing for current reserve Alexander Albon to return to the grid and has held talks with both Alfa Romeo and Williams.
Wolff outlined that De Vries’ prospects may hinge on the outcome of Albon’s future.
“At the moment it revolves around Alex, who as Christian said deserves a seat, he’s a really good kid and he’s probably the main protagonist in the moving chairs,” said Wolff.
“Nyck has a guaranteed seat in Formula E with us and I’m in two minds as I said before – I wish him to be in Formula 1 but I don’t want to lose him for our Formula E campaign.”
