Mercedes opt for Formula 2 Champions Vandoorne and de Vries for their F1 test
Following a dramatic couple of weeks for the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, they have decided to select both Mercedes Formula E drivers Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries for the 2020 Formula 1 ‘young driver test’ in the Abu Dhabi.
Vandoorne would’ve been ineligible under conventional F1 young driver test rules due to his 41 previous Grand Prix starts with McLaren, but following the exemption this season made for Fernando Alonso, Robert Kubica and Sebastien Buemi, he will get his chance.
The Belgian driver has been in the middle of the George Russell and Lewis Hamilton switch for the Sakhir Grand Prix as he is actually Mercedes’ designated reserve driver in 2020 alongside Esteban Gutierrez. However, the team decided to take the opportunity to see what Russell could do in the 2020 car at the sharp end of the grid.
This for both drivers, will be both an opportunity and a reward for their stellar work with Mercedes’ new Formula E team. The team finished in third in the constructors’ standings in its debut season.
De Vries, who was a long-time McLaren junior but never made it to F1 despite winning the 2019 Formula 2 title, will make his first appearance in a public F1 test.
Both will be looking forward getting their hands on the wheel of the incredible 2020 car and showing what they can do.
Let us know your thoughts @F2inside on Twitter and join our ever growing community of Formula 2 fans!
Image Credit: © MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula Onetm
