Mercedes

Hamilton stands aside for Mercedes rookie run in French GP FP1

Ewan Gale Wednesday 20 July 2022 11:17 Updated: 07:59

Lewis Hamilton is to stand aside for Nyck de Vries for FP1 at the French Grand Prix.

Each team is required to use two first practice sessions for rookie driver runs throughout the season as F1 aims to bridge the gap between junior formulae and the highest echelon.

Mercedes has elected to complete its first run of the season at Paul Ricard this weekend, with Formula E and former F2 champion de Vries taking charge of the W13 on Friday.

It means Hamilton will step aside for an hour on a weekend the Silver Arrows are expected to perform well, given the smoothness of the track surface at the French venue.

"Nyck is replacing Lewis in first practice this weekend as part of the allocated sessions for young drivers this year.," confirmed team principal Toto Wolff.

"So, we're looking forward to seeing how he gets on."

De Vries has already completed a young driver run this year, driving the Williams FW44 during first practice at the Spanish Grand Prix.

Head of vehicle performance at Williams, Dave Robson, said after the run: "He has what he needs to be a top-quality competition driver.

"He is worthy of a place on the grid I think but so many people are. He took his opportunity well and he should be pleased and proud of what he did."

The Dutchman sits eighth in the Formula E standings with four rounds left after enduring a season filled with misfortune.

Latest News

F1 News & Gossip

Lando Norris takes aim at Red Bull over FIA cheating accusations

9 minutes ago

Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen 'says YES' to Mercedes F1 deal as Red Bull loss looms

53 minutes ago

F1 Today

F1 News Today: Verstappen exit clause 'active' as Red Bull announce NEW driver lineup for British GP

2 hours ago

F1 on TV

Sky F1 coverage update issued after Germany sale confirmed

Yesterday 22:56

Daniel Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo issues retirement update as ex-F1 star makes surprising public appearance

Yesterday 21:56

Red Bull

Red Bull chief Christian Horner fires warning shot at Yuki Tsunoda after Austrian GP nightmare

Yesterday 20:54

More news

FIA issue Lando Norris disqualification verdict at Austrian Grand Prix

29 june

250.000+ views

F1 News Today: Austrian Grand Prix race result confirmed as FIA issue Lando Norris disqualification verdict

1 july

200.000+ views

FIA announce George Russell punishment verdict at Canadian Grand Prix

14 june

150.000+ views

FIA announce harsh McLaren penalty verdict after Oscar Piastri incident at Canadian GP

14 june

150.000+ views

Lewis Hamilton disqualification proves McLaren are real deal at Austrian Grand Prix

1 july

150.000+ views

Mercedes F1 star hit by FIA deleted lap ruling after Canadian Grand Prix

16 june

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

Hamilton stands aside for Mercedes rookie run in French GP FP1

Hamilton stands aside for Mercedes rookie run in French GP FP1