F1 News: Nyck de Vries Signs Contract For Racing Return
Former AlphaTauri driver Nyck De Vries signed a multi-year deal with Mahindra in Formula E. He will be racing in 2024 alongside Edoardo Mortara, making the pair a strong contender for the championship.
De Vries was ousted from AlphaTauri a few months ago after the Dutch driver failed to score points for the team during the first ten F1 Grands Prix this year. However, having won the 2020–21 Formula E World Championship might give him an edge next year over the competition.
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But, both Mahindra drivers might run into a challenge with respect to the M9Electro FE car, at least for the early part of the season until it receives the first set of upgrades. The car was the least competitive last season but, can't be replaced as Mahindra is forced to run with the Gen3 design for two years as part of the two-campaign homologation rule.
Team principal Frederic Bertrand stresses that with the new drivers and the new staff of experts being hired from the likes of Mercedes, 2024 might look a lot better. Especially after considering the software upgrades on the car that might at least, push the team midfield.
Speaking on the signing of De Vries and Mortara, Bertrand told The Race:
“Honestly, we were still hesitating between going for rookies going or experienced drivers. [Also] what would be the wish of Lucas, so there were plenty of questions.
"We were slowly closing the few questions we had into some ideas. That's how we came to the idea of having more experienced drivers than rookies.”
Bertrand also revealed that a misunderstanding between him and De Vries delayed his selection process after the racing driver visited the London E-Prix. He added:
“We had the first discussion quite early with Nyck after his F1 exit.
"I was explaining the project to tell him what we were doing, and I think he liked it. He also felt that the potential was there.
"But we had quite a silence after that, so I was thinking he was not interested. Then on his side, he was thinking I was not interested. It was quite funny that after that we had another discussion and he said, 'you didn't come back to me I thought you were not interested in me'. and I said ‘yeah, but you didn't come back to us, so I thought you were not also interested in us!”
De Vries seems quite practical and realistic about what can be achieved in 2024 while being equally ambitious about 2025. He said:
“Mahindra has been always winning races in seasons and showing competitiveness.
"With changes that are in place, I really believe we can do the next step. But I think the key is to kind of unite together because it's a long-term project for all of us that are involved and to give us the time and patience to build that.
"I have no doubt the foundations are there. I was very positively surprised and encouraged by all the plans that are and will be in place going forward."
