Teams are required to run rookie drivers in two FP1 sessions throughout the season as part of the 2022 racing regulations.
Mercedes, the reigning world champion team, will grant test and reserve driver Nyck de Vries a spot in the opening free practice session of the year so that he may test the team’s W13 at Paul Ricard on Friday.
Nyck will take Lewis Hamilton position in the first practise this weekend as part of the sessions reserved for junior drivers this year, according to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. “So, we’re interested to see how he does,” Wolff said.
De Vries, who made his GP debut this year when he took Alex Albon‘s position at Williams during Spanish Big Prix FP1, will therefore participate in his second grand prix weekend.
The Dutchman also participated for Mercedes in the Abu Dhabi Young Driver tests in 2020 and 2021. De Vries won the title for Mercedes last year along with fellow Mercedes reserve Stoffel Vandoorne, who is also the reigning Formula E champion. The 27-year-old is presently ranked seventh among drivers in this season of Formula E. He previously won the FIA Formula 2 championship in 2019.
Mercedes is coming off a great showing in the Austrian Grand Prix, when Lewis Hamilton finished third for the third race in a row, ahead of teammate George Russell in fourth. France is the next race before the summer break.
