F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Vandoorne and de Vries set for Sebring IndyCar tests

Works Mercedes Formula E drivers Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries will enjoy an IndyCar test outing at Sebring in early December.

Vandoorne is earmarked for a run in Florida with Arrow McLaren SP as part of the team's evaluation programme for 2022 and the prospect of adding a third entry in the NTT IndyCar Series.

As for reigning FE champion de Vries, the Dutchman will take to the track on the same day as Vandoorne, but with the Meyer Shank Racing-Honda outfit.

MSR co-owner Mike Shank, who called de Vries "a stand-out and rockstar" said the team is testing the 26-year-old FE charger to "cover" all its options for the future.

©ArrowMcLaren

“We’re always looking to the future, no matter what our current driver situation is," Shank told Motorsport.com.

"We keep an eye on who’s out there, who’s performing well and thinking about what are needs are going to be.

"We’re continually building and evolving our team and from my perspective at least, Nyck is a guy that is really a stand-out, a rockstar. Formula 2 champion, Formula E champion…

"Is it a potential move for us? I don’t know, but I’m going to make sure that as we move forward we’re covering ourselves. He could be in a sportscar, he could be in an IndyCar – we just want to see what he’s about, and so we’ve had this test scheduled for a while."

If Vandoorne and de Vries' tests at Sebring International Raceway prove successful with their respective teams, Mercedes may have a conundrum on its hands as it will rely on both drivers next season to cap off its final year in Formula E, preferably with a second title.

They may therefore be restricted by Mercedes to test next year or indeed race in IndyCar if an opportunity comes their way.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Perez reveals how he became Force India's unlikely saviour

Sergio Perez has revisited one of the most extraordinary off-track stories of his Formula 1…

12 hours ago

FIA expands straight-line mode at Spa – as Alonso sounds warning

Formula 1’s return to Spa-Francorchamps this weekend will introduce a striking new element to the…

14 hours ago

McLaren set for Mercedes engine upgrade at Spa and rear-wing trial

McLaren will arrive at the Belgian Grand Prix with a fresh opportunity to reset its…

15 hours ago

Michael bows to Mika on British GP podium

On this day in 2001 at the British GP at Silverstone, Formula 1 fans were…

17 hours ago

Bearman moved to tears after driving Senna’s iconic Lotus

The Silverstone pitlane has borne witness to countless moments of motorsport history, but recently, it…

17 hours ago

Steiner: Time for McLaren to ‘grow up’ and build its own engine

McLaren’s search for answers in Formula 1 has once again turned the spotlight onto its…

19 hours ago