Nyck de Vries will make an appearance during free practice one this weekend in France, fulfilling the regulations that targets more track time for rookie drivers.
All teams are dedicating two FP1 sessions during the year to a rookie driver, with de Vries already having an outing with Williams earlier this season.
De Vries, who is the reigning Formula E World Champion, is one of Mercedes’ official reserve drivers, alongside Mercedes FE team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne.
The Dutchman will have one hour behind the wheel of the W13 this weekend, with Hamilton sitting out the session.
![Alpine Managing Director Steve Nielsen [pictured with Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore] is stern in his belief Mercedes has acted correctly](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Alpine-Steve-Nielsen-Flavio-Briatore-120x86.webp)
Mercedes says that Hamilton selected the Circuit Paul Ricard as his session to miss, while George Russell’s pick will come later in the year.
De Vries is well versed at the Circuit Paul Ricard, winning the Formula 2 Sprint Race at the venue in 2018 before prevailing in the Feature Race the following year.
The 27-year-old has won two Formula E races this season, and currently sits eighth in the Drivers’ Championship with four races remaining in the season.
De Vries drove Williams’ car during FP1 in Spain earlier this year, and is set to have more outings later in the campaign.
![Alpine Managing Director Steve Nielsen [pictured with Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore] is stern in his belief Mercedes has acted correctly](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Alpine-Steve-Nielsen-Flavio-Briatore-350x250.webp)
![Alpine Managing Director Steve Nielsen [pictured with Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore] is stern in his belief Mercedes has acted correctly](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Alpine-Steve-Nielsen-Flavio-Briatore-360x180.webp)
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