F1 flop Nyck de Vries announces racing return after brutal Red Bull axe
Nyck de Vries has made an "exciting" return to Formula E following his axe by Red Bull earlier this season.
The 28-year-old was named by AlphaTauri for the 2023 campaign but was brutally cast aside after just ten races after failing to pick up a single point.
It was claimed that there was plenty of interest in his services following that decision, including from teams in Formula One. However, the Dutchman has now returned to Formula E by penning a ‘long-term deal’ with Mahindra Racing.
An announcement was made on Wednesday that he will compete for the side in Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and will be joined by Edoardo Mortara.
Speaking after the move was made official, De Vries said: “It’s really exciting to be joining such a major automotive manufacturer as Mahindra, and to represent them in Formula E. I’m particularly excited about the future plans for the team.
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“The basis is already strong, and the team has all the attributes to succeed. I believe going forwards we will be able to extract even more potential from the project and the organisation, so to be a part of that process was very appealing for me.
“I think it’s no secret that the team has had a bit of a rough start to Gen3, although there were positive signs of improvement during the second half of last season. I believe the team can continue to build on those learnings, and with the additional changes and plans in place for the future, we can make even greater steps forward in performance at the start of our new journey together.
Edoardo Mortara has also been signed by Mahindra (Getty Images)Did Red Bull make the right decision over Nyck de Vries? Share your thoughts in the comments below
“Coming back to Formula E will feel like coming home. I’ve been part of the Formula E family for three seasons, I know everybody very well. I’m looking forward to being back in a familiar environment, and to be back somewhere where ultimately, I’ve always enjoyed my racing.”
De Vries is certainly no stranger to Formula E. He raced for Mercedes during the 2019/20 season, finishing in 11th. He enjoyed better fortunes the following campaign as he lifted the Championship after two wins and two second-place finishes.
His performances dropped off the following season as he slumped to ninth despite improving his points haul. De Vries has had a few ventures into Formula One since then including being a test driver for both Mercedes and Aston Martin.
He was also afforded a race for Williams towards the end of last season. He began eighth on the grid at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza but could only finish ninth.
De Vries will hope to impress next month at the series’ pre-season test in Valencia. Speaking on De Vries arrival, Mahindra Racing CEO Frédéric Bertrand said: “I am delighted to welcome Edo and Nyck to the Mahindra Racing family. As a team, we are all embarking on a journey to bring Mahindra Racing back to the front of the grid in the coming years.”
“With their speed and experience, Nyck and Edo will play a key role in driving the team towards that goal, and I know everybody is feeling very motivated to work with them. Equally important for the team are the drivers’ appetites for a long-term project, which makes them the perfect fit for Mahindra Racing at the beginning of this journey.”
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