The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Endurance Championship team, partnered by Acronis, has announced the signing of Nyck de Vries as test and reserve driver for the remainder of the 2019-2020 campaign, and the 2021 season.
De Vries, who currently races in Formula E with the Mercedes-Benz EQ team and in the WEC LMP2 category with Racing Team Nederland, was also crowned FIA Formula 2 champion in 2019.
“I am pleased to welcome Nyck de Vries to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing,” commented Hisatake Murata, Team President. “The feedback following his rookie test in Bahrain was very positive so it’s clear that he has a lot of potential. Along with our TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WEC Challenge member Kenta Yamashita, we have two very promising young drivers developing their skills within our team which is exciting for the future. I look forward to seeing their progress, and at the same time I wish Thomas Laurent all the best for the future and thank him for his contribution this season.”
The first photos 📷 of @nyckdevries in his new team gear. Doesn't he look good in the #TOYOTA outfit?@FIAWEC #TOYOTAGAZOORacing #PushingTheLimitsForBetter pic.twitter.com/5fPlENeWpC
— TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WEC (@Toyota_Hybrid) July 6, 2020
De Vries’ role for the team starts immediately, the Dutchman behind the wheel of the TS050 HYBRID for at a test in Paul Ricard to evaluate the car’s performance and aero package ahead of the forthcoming championship rounds at Spa and Le Mans.
“I am really excited to join TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and work with the team again; it’s an honour to be selected as test and reserve driver so I would like to thank the team for this opportunity,” commented de Vries. “Driving the TS050 HYBRID in Bahrain was a fantastic experience. At the time, I thought it could have been a one-off opportunity so it’s great to know I will be driving the car again, and even more exciting to look ahead to later this year when we start testing the new LMH car. I hope to contribute to a successful start to this new era for the team.”
We are all set up and ready to go for the first track activity of the #TS050 HYBRID since the #6hCOTA in February.
It is all a bit different now but it feels great to be back at a race track. 🇫🇷@PaulRicardTrack @FIAWEC #TOYOTA #TOYOTAGAZOORacing #PushingTheLimitsForBetter pic.twitter.com/ApFFrCRCKA
— TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WEC (@Toyota_Hybrid) July 6, 2020