Former Red Bull Driver Nyck de Vries Returns to McLaren in Simulator Role

Nyck de Vries, the former Red Bull VCARB driver, has officially rejoined McLaren as a simulator driver, a move confirmed by the team to PlanetF1.com. This comes after de Vries was spotted assisting McLaren's preparations in the sim ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix.

Why it matters:

De Vries' return to Formula 1, even in an off-track capacity, highlights the competitive nature of the sport and how driver talents can be repurposed. For McLaren, bringing in an experienced driver like de Vries, who has previous F1 race experience and a history with the team's junior program, could provide invaluable feedback for car development and race strategy, especially as they continue their push up the grid.

The Details:

• F1 Stint: De Vries made 11 F1 appearances in 2022 and 2023, debuting with Williams at the 2022 Italian Grand Prix, where his ninth-place finish caught Red Bull's attention.
• AlphaTauri Struggles: He was subsequently signed by AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) for the 2023 season but struggled to score points across the first 10 races and was replaced by Daniel Ricciardo.
• Post-F1 Career: Now 30, de Vries is active in Formula E, where he was champion in 2021, and also competes in the World Endurance Championship with Toyota.
• McLaren Return: McLaren confirmed that de Vries has been working as a simulator driver for the team since the start of the 2025 F1 season. This marks a return to his roots, as he was part of McLaren's junior scheme from 2010 to 2018, performing simulator duties then as well.
  • Pirelli Test: He first returned to an F1 cockpit since his AlphaTauri exit in a Pirelli tyre test for McLaren at Paul Ricard last November, signaling a potential new chapter.
• Previous McLaren Departure: McLaren CEO Zak Brown had previously agreed to part ways with de Vries in 2018 to allow him to pursue other opportunities, given the slim chance of an F1 seat with the team at the time.

The big picture:

De Vries' journey underscores the often-brutal reality of F1, where a single good result can open doors, but sustained performance is paramount. His transition from a race seat to a critical behind-the-scenes role with a top team like McLaren reflects the specialized skill set required in modern F1, where simulator work is increasingly vital for vehicle development and driver preparation. His prior experience across multiple F1 teams and his championship success in other categories make him a valuable asset for McLaren's technical operations.

What's next:

While de Vries won't be on the grid, his contributions in the simulator will directly impact McLaren's performance, particularly as teams prepare for upcoming races and develop future car iterations. His deep understanding of various F1 cars and racing environments could give McLaren an edge in fine-tuning their machinery and strategy, making his role crucial for the team's continued progress in the highly competitive F1 landscape.