Nyck de Vries thinks it’s “unbelievable” that McLaren shall be enter the World Endurance Championship’s prime class subsequent 12 months, however didn’t give a agency reply when requested if he had had any discussions with the staff.
De Vries joined Toyota’s Hypercar squad in 2024 and likewise stays energetic in Components E with Mahindra.
Along with his WEC and Components E duties, the Dutchman additionally serves as a take a look at and simulator driver for McLaren’s Components 1 staff. On Monday, the British staff unveiled its new LMDh prototype for the 2027 season, the MCL-HY, following its shakedown in Italy.
Learn Additionally:
De Vries emphasised that his roles at Toyota and McLaren are “utterly separate” and that he’s “very pleased” at Toyota.
“In any other case, I’m curious, as an outsider, to see how that mission develops,” he informed Motorsport.com Netherlands, referring to McLaren’s Hypercar programme.
“In fact, McLaren is a profitable racing staff and group. For the WEC, it’s unbelievable to have a model like McLaren on board. I’m curious to see how they’ll do.”
When requested whether or not McLaren had however held talks with him about the potential for becoming a member of that Hypercar mission, De Vries replied: “I’ll hold that to myself.”
De Vries stated he feels at dwelling at Toyota and believes he can proceed to construct his profession with the Japanese producer for years to come back.
“Undoubtedly,” he stated. “I’m very pleased inside the staff. I’m very pleased inside the organisation. I’m actually having fun with myself. I really feel like we’ve gotten off to a very good begin this 12 months. Toyota is, after all, some of the profitable groups of the previous 10 years on this championship. So sure, I’m very proud of the place I’m.”
De Vries completed third at Imola.
Picture by: FIA WEC / DPPI
Looking forward to Spa
Eventually month’s season opener in Imola, de Vries completed on the rostrum in third place alongside his Toyota team-mates Mike Conway and Kamui Kobayashi, whereas the sister #8 TR010 pushed by Sebastien Buemi, Ryo Hirakawa and Brendon Hartley gained the race.
However this weekend’s Belgian spherical gives a very completely different problem, with Spa-Francorchamps that includes sooner corners and longer straights. De Vries, nevertheless, doesn’t need to enterprise too many predictions simply but, since testing has solely taken place at Imola, and in his view, that can be a “utterly completely different” circuit.
“In fact, we hope we’ve improved on a few of our previous shortcomings. We’re wanting ahead to seeing how this weekend performs out for us and the way aggressive we will be,” he stated. “However by way of expectations, I can’t say a lot, to be trustworthy.
“We haven’t been right here for a 12 months, and Imola is a very completely different observe. Throughout testing, you don’t actually get the possibility to measure your self towards the competitors. So for us, it’s additionally partly uncharted territory.”
When requested concerning the automobile’s shortcomings, de Vries emphasises that they primarily contain minor refinements in comparison with final 12 months’s GR010 Hybrid.
“Similar to each F1 staff, we now have sure areas the place we now have room for enchancment in comparison with the competitors. However these are small particulars you’re employed on; they aren’t elementary adjustments,” stated the 31-year-old Dutchman.
Learn Additionally:
We would like your opinion!
What would you wish to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Crew
