Mercedes will 'need to let de Vries go' if no F1 deal turns up

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Toto Wolff praised Nyck de Vries' for his flawless FP1 session with Mercedes on Friday at Paul Ricard, but the Austrian says he'll need to let the Dutchman go if an F1 deal for 2023 doesn't turn up.

De Vries was assigned Lewis Hamilton's W13 silver arrow in the first session of the day as part of F1 teams' mandatory requirement by the FIA to run a young driver in at least two practice sessions this season.

French Grand Prix Free Practice 1 - Results

The reigning Formula E champion acquitted himself well as he ran through the team's programmes and clocked in with the ninth fastest time.

Even Hamilton, in attendance in the Mercedes garage, was a keen observer of de Vries' session.

"Today was very, very good," Wolff told Sky F1 after FP1. "It was interesting because he was coaching Nick, he was helping him with the overlays and it was quite interesting to see."

Earlier this year, De Vries ran with the Williams team in FP1 in Barcelona. However, the 27-year-old's chances of securing a full-time race seat in F1 next season appear slim.

The door is shut at Mercedes, while Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin and Williams where seats are theoretically available have shown no real interest in running de Vries.

"I think if we’re not able to provide him with an interesting Formula 1 project, we need to let him go," admitted Wolff.

"He’s looking at the various options, sports cars and then maybe Formula E.

"But you must never give up on the opportunity that one day a Formula 1 door can open."

Wolff added that Mercedes "can’t really help him".

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.