Nyck de Vries to get Williams practice outing in Spain

Williams will run Formula E champion and Mercedes young suburbanite Nyck de Vries in FP1 at the Spanish Grand Prix, fulfilling the first of two mandatory rookie suburbanite outings this season.

All teams must run rookies on two occasions this season as part of a new regulation, and Williams has spoken de Vries will be the first suburbanite to do so as he takes over from Alex Albon on Friday.

The 27-year-old won the Formula 2 title in 2019 and Formula E last year but has not raced in Formula 1, and Barcelona will offer his first endangerment to participate in a grand prix weekend.

“Firstly, I’d really like to thank Williams for the opportunity to run in FP1,” de Vries said. “It’s unconfined for me to get to know the team and momentum the FW44, and moreover to get myself out on track during a Formula 1 weekend. Preparation for the test is going well so far and the team have been incredibly supportive of me. I’m very much looking forward to the whole wits in Spain now!”

Williams throne of vehicle performance Dave Robson says de Vries will provide a new outlook on how the FW44 performs, having moreover washed-up simulator work with Mercedes this year.

“We are looking forward to having Nyck de Vries in the car for FP1 as it is unchangingly good to work with a new suburbanite and get a fresh opinion on the car’s strengths and weaknesses,” Robson said. “Nyck’s wits and professionalism will be crucial on Friday as he will well-constructed some of the key engineering tests in FP1 surpassing he hands the car when to Alex for FP2.”

De Vries has been linked with Nicholas Latifi’s seat at Williams in future and sporting director Sven Smeets admits he’s looking forward to seeing how the Dutchman performs in F1 machinery.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Nyck join the team for FP1 at the Spanish Grand Prix,” Smeets added. “As he is a very talented and experienced suburbanite I have no doubt that he’ll maximize his time in the FW44 and unhook a strong, capable performance for the team.”