de Vries and Vandoorne to drive for Mercedes in Abu Dhabi F1 young drivers test

Mercedes Formula E drivers Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne will each sample the team’s Formula 1 world championship-winning W11 car during the post-season young drivers’ test in Abu Dhabi.

Next week’s single-day test which follows the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit was originally intended to be an event for rookie drivers who have competed in no more than two grands prix.

However, the FIA has made a tweak to the regulations to allow drivers who have started more than two F1 races to take part so long as they have not raced in the championship this year.

It followed lobbying from Renault to gain permission to run two-time world champion Fernando Alonso for some important mileage to get back up to speed ahead of his return to F1 next year with the French manufacturer.

The FIA’s decision has irked rival teams with Carlos Sainz and Sebastian Vettel being blocked from the chance to make an early test debut for their respective new teams Ferrari and Aston Martin.

2019 Formula 2 champion de Vries has not raced in F1 and will get the chance to drive Mercedes’ 2020 challenger after contesting the 2019-2020 Formula E season for the German manufacturer.

"Buzzing from the day I was informed," de Vries said on social media. "This will become my Formula 1 debut. C Buzzing from the day I was informed. This will become my Formula 1 debut. Can’t thank Mercedes enough for the faith and opportunity. Dreams come true."

Vandoorne, who is de Vries’ teammate, took on Mercedes’ reserve driver role following his departure from McLaren at the end of 2018 and missed out on the opportunity to stand-in for Lewis Hamilton at the Sakhir Grand Prix when the seven-time world champion contracted coronavirus.

‼️Joining @MercedesAMGF1 for the post season YDT at Abu Dhabi‼️ Buzzing from the day I was informed. This will become my Formula 1 debut. Can’t thank Mercedes enough for the faith and opportunity. Dreams come true pic.twitter.com/YtTZrSaE60

— Nyck de Vries (@nyckdevries) December 11, 2020