close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US
George Russell, Nyck de Vries, 2018

How de Vries overcame F1's "huge chess game" to land seat

George Russell, Nyck de Vries, 2018 — Photo: © LAT Images

How de Vries overcame F1's "huge chess game" to land seat

De Vries is at AlphaTauri for the new season

AlphaTauri driver Nyck de Vries has revealed how he finally won out in F1's "huge chess game" after years of near misses.

The Dutchman will make his full-time debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix after replacing Pierre Gasly at the Faenza-based outfit, with the Frenchman join Alpine.

The move marks a welcome opportunity for de Vries, who will turn 28 ahead of the new season, after failing to enter the sport after his F2 triumph and his championship campaign in Formula E.

De Vries has instead had to wait until being able to show his talents behind the wheel of an F1 car in anger, substituting for Alex Albon at Williams in last year's Italian Grand Prix, before an opportunity called.

De Vries was almost a full-time driver a year ahead of time, however, although speaking to De Telegraaf, the former Mercedes reserve driver conceded the jigsaw would not fit.

"That year I became world champion in Formula E and I thought all the puzzle pieces would fall together, it was between Alex and me at Williams," he explained.

"In the end they chose Alex.

"Then I did think 'S**t! How am I going to keep this momentum going for another 12 months?'

"It's such a huge chess game. All scenarios were constantly running through my head."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 Race Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2026 start times, schedule, TV channel and FREE live stream

F1 Race Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2026 start times, schedule, TV channel and FREE live stream

  • 47 minutes ago
Youngest F1 race winners: All-time list as Antonelli bids for Chinese Grand Prix glory

Youngest F1 race winners: All-time list as Antonelli bids for Chinese Grand Prix glory

  • 1 hour ago
How Kimi Antonelli could have F1 pole record snatched away

How Kimi Antonelli could have F1 pole record snatched away

  • 1 hour ago
Red Bull F1 icon 'great choice' to present legendary TV show Grand Tour

Red Bull F1 icon 'great choice' to present legendary TV show Grand Tour

  • 2 hours ago
Aston Martin flop deserves 'proper w***** trophy' says F1 insider

Aston Martin flop deserves 'proper w***** trophy' says F1 insider

  • 3 hours ago
Lewis Hamilton under fire from Ferrari team-mate in angry blast at Chinese Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton under fire from Ferrari team-mate in angry blast at Chinese Grand Prix

  • Today 14:53

Just in

18:51
F1 Race Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2026 start times, schedule, TV channel and FREE live stream
18:23
Youngest F1 race winners: All-time list as Antonelli bids for Chinese Grand Prix glory
17:57
How Kimi Antonelli could have F1 pole record snatched away
16:54
Red Bull F1 icon 'great choice' to present legendary TV show Grand Tour
15:55
Aston Martin flop deserves 'proper w***** trophy' says F1 insider
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

F1 Race Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2026 start times, schedule, TV channel and FREE live stream Chinese Grand Prix

F1 Race Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2026 start times, schedule, TV channel and FREE live stream

47 minutes ago
Youngest F1 race winners: All-time list as Antonelli bids for Chinese Grand Prix glory F1 Stats

Youngest F1 race winners: All-time list as Antonelli bids for Chinese Grand Prix glory

1 hour ago
Christian Horner F1 return facing major blocker as Mercedes talks confirmed F1 News & Gossip

Christian Horner F1 return facing major blocker as Mercedes talks confirmed

Today 12:58
F1 Odds: Chinese Grand Prix favourites and long shots as Lewis Hamilton roars back after ‘Macarena’ flop Chinese Grand Prix

F1 Odds: Chinese Grand Prix favourites and long shots as Lewis Hamilton roars back after ‘Macarena’ flop

Today 12:30
Ontdek het op Google Play
x