In an unexpected twist, Nyck de Vries, once a driver for AlphaTauri, is steering his career in a new direction with Japan’s Super Formula series.
De Vries, who caught the public’s eye during his impressive run with Williams in 2022, briefly joined Red Bull’s team in 2023. However, his stint lasted only 11 races before Daniel Ricciardo took over his seat. Despite this setback, De Vries, the 2020-21 Formula E champion, has not stepped away from the fast lane. He is now set to compete with Team Impul in Japan, driving in two rounds at Motegi in August followed by a Fuji double-header in October.
Post his Red Bull departure, De Vries kept a low profile but has since found success in other racing circuits. His participation in the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans saw him finishing fourth, leading to a full-time role in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2024, where he currently holds third place with three races pending.
Reflecting on his F1 journey, De Vries expressed a mature outlook despite the challenges. ‘I think I was able to put it into perspective very quickly,’ he mentioned to De Telegraaf. He shared that he received substantial support and emphasized understanding the nature of the racing business, free from any resentment toward Helmut Marko, Daniel Ricciardo, or Liam Lawson, who stepped in temporarily.
While De Vries is committed to the Super Formula races, he will return to Formula E post the Fuji event for testing duties with Mahindra Racing. His seat at Suzuka will be taken by Hibiki Taira for the final event. Notably, De Vries appears to embrace his current path, showcasing resilience and adaptability as key traits in his sporting pursuits.
Nyck de Vries’ journey beyond Formula 1 exemplifies a resilient approach to changes in a racing career, as he continues to explore new opportunities and challenges on the track.
