AlphaTauri rookie Nyck de Vries says his huge racing expertise in numerous motorsport collection will profit him throughout his rookie season in Components 1.
The 2019 Components 2 champion and 2021 Components E world champion will make their F1 debut this season with Crimson Bull’s youth crew. At 28, he would be the oldest of three rookies this season.
De Vries made an surprising grand prix begin with Williams on the Italian Grand Prix final season, changing the ailing Alexander Albon and ending in ninth place with two factors. De Vries believes he does not have the identical testing expertise as his rookies Oscar Piastri and Logan Sargeant, regardless of having had one grand prix and a number of Friday follow classes final yr.
“I might say I am nonetheless a rookie,” De Vries mentioned. “In fact I had the privilege of driving numerous completely different automobiles, however I do not assume the advantages of that rely upon observe time as a result of it was truly very restricted.”
“Other than three rookie exams, two in Mercedes and one within the Scuderia AlphaTauri, I did not take a look at correctly. The FP1s have been an important alternative and expertise to kick myself out over a grand prix weekend. That is much more than once you’re testing a full day. “It brings a special stress as a result of you’ve gotten very restricted time. It is a possibility to point out your self, however equally, there’s extra to lose than to achieve, so it is positively a very good expertise to have.”
De Vries, who has received the Components E world championship and raced a number of seasons within the World Endurance Championship, admits that his huge racing expertise will profit him in his first yr in F1.
“I feel having expertise working with completely different groups in several environments would add numerous worth, however by way of pure observe and race time, I feel I’ve much less of this yr’s rookies,” he mentioned. “Nevertheless, I am just a little older and had the chance to compete in several championships, so it is a stage of expertise that provides worth.”
De Vries, who joined AlphaTauri, a crew he had by no means pushed earlier than signing his racing contract, says he labored onerous over the winter to get used to his new crew.
“I used to be very warmly welcomed,” he mentioned. “Everybody appeared very excited to have arrived and we actually did the whole lot we may to combine me as quickly as potential.
“I hung out with completely different folks on the crew in several engineering departments, and we additionally did just a little bit extra particular work on preferences, likes, all types of issues. I feel we did a very good job of getting the time to welcome me and get me into the crew, however on the identical time, we began to have a look at the gaps, which is the world for enchancment that we have to spotlight. .
“Bodily, we have made good use of our time and we’re pushing actually onerous. I am principally having fun with the experience and I am very excited to start out our season.”
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