Williams target De Vries responds to reports of sponsor package

Rumoured Williams target Nyck de Vries has rejected reports that he could be bankrolled into Formula 1 by a sponsorship deal with a supermarket in his native Netherlands. It had been reported that De Vries had emerged as a candidate for Williams as a result of backing worth $10million from Jumbo.

De Vries has competed in the World Endurance Championship alongside Jumbo director Frits van Eerd for Racing Team Netherlands, alongside a second season in Formula 2 in 2018.

A McLaren junior since 2010, De Vries has three wins to his name in F2 this year and sits fourth in the standings with two races to go in the season finale at Abu Dhabi.

With Esteban Ocon, Esteban Gutierrez and Robert Kubica linked to a seat currently held by Sergey Sirotkin, De Vries says he will not make the step up to F1 purely as a result of the finances he can bring to a team.

Lately there have been various rumours in the media about myself and Jumbo in relation to Williams. To clarify things, Jumbo is not and will not invest any money in my career. 1/2 — Nyck de Vries (@nyckdevries) November 1, 2018

Of course we’re collectively looking at career opportunities, however this is certainly not our philosophy and strategy. I hope to announce my future plans soon, be patient ???? 2/2 — Nyck de Vries (@nyckdevries) November 1, 2018

George Russell has already been confirmed as a Williams driver for 2019, filling the gap that will be left by Lance Stroll's anticipated move to Force India.

The nine-time constructors' champions have endured a miserable campaign, bottom of the team standings by a considerable distance, with Sirotkin bottom of the drivers' championship with a solitary point to his name – earned partly due to Romain Grosjean's Italian GP disqualification.

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