Mercedes' de Vries baffled by Williams rumors

Reigning Formula E champion Nyck de Vries says rumors of his possible move to Formula 1 next season with the Williams team are "new to me".

As F1 pundits debate the future of talented Alpine junior Oscar Piastri, whom the French outfit will be seeking to lend out to a rival outfit next season, Williams has emerged as a potential destination team for the young Aussie in 2023.

However, in his latest blog entry, veteran F1 reporter Joe Saward suggested that the Grove-based outfit is unlikely to offer Piastri an F1 apprenticeship only for the young charger to return to Alpine in 2024 or later.

Instead, Williams would be better off recruiting de Vries who held discussions with the British outfit last season before it signed up Alex Albon for 2022.

• Read also: Rumor puts Piastri on the grid in 2023, but not with Alpine

According to Saward, Williams is keeping tabs on the Dutchman. But that is news to the works Mercedes-EQ Formula E driver.

"These rumours are new to me," de Vries told Dutch website GPFans.

"I have no idea where you read them or where you came across them. But then I’m very curious where they got that from, because honestly, I have no idea."

While de Vries insists he hasn't held any talks with Williams regarding his plans for 2023, the 27-year-old - who currently serves as a reserve driver for both Mercedes and McLaren - still ambitions to race full-time in F1.

"Of course, Formula 1 is a dream," he said.

"That is a dream for every young driver, but otherwise I think it is still quite early in the season. We are only at the sixth race in our championship."

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