DE VRIES GET LAST-MINUTE WILLIAMS RACE CALL-UP
Mercedes protege Nyck de Vries made his Formula 1 debut in the Italian Grand Prix, deputising for an unwell Alex Albon.
Albon was struck with appendicitis on Saturday morning and was forced to have surgery, so the Dutch driver de Vries, who had already taken part in the opening practice session with Aston Martin, was drafted in at the last minute. The 2020-2021 Formula E champion benefited from a raft of drivers collecting qualifying penalties to line up in eighth spot for his maiden grand prix. He finished in ninth spot at the flag, even though he earned a reprimand for ‘erratic driving’.
De Vries is chasing a full-time seat in Formula 1 for the 2023 season.