De Vries to make F1 GP debut with Williams as Albon hit with appendicitis

Nyck de Vries will make his F1 race debut with Williams in the Italian Grand Prix as replacement for Alex Albon.

Thai-British driver Albon has been hit with appendicitis, leaving Williams being forced to turn to its reserve driver De Vries, who drove for Aston Martin in first practice at Monza on Friday.

A Williams statement read: “Williams Racing can confirm that, after feeling unwell this morning and seeking medical advice from the FIA and local hospital, Alex Albon is now undergoing treatment for appendicitis.

“Following on from this, we can confirm that the team’s reserve driver Nyck de Vries will drive in place of Alex for the remainder of the Italian Grand Prix weekend.

"Alex is in good spirits and the team wishes him a speedy recovery.”

De Vries, who won the F2 title in 2019 and was Formula E champion last year, has been pushing to claim a seat in F1 for next season.

The 27-year-old Dutchman has already driven in FP1 sessions this season for Mercedes, standing in for Lewis Hamilton ahead of the French GP, and Williams at the Spanish Grand Prix as Albon stepped aside.

Albon, meanwhile, has insisted he is fine, delivering a superb tweet...

Appendicitis, surgery and no racing isn’t what I was expecting this weekend!

Negatives:
- Missing out on what looks like a strong weekend for us
- Pain

Positives
- Weight reduction for Singapore
- Cool scars pic.twitter.com/HOfA18eF5W

— Alex Albon (@alex_albon) September 10, 2022

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