DUBAI: Former Formula E champion and two-time Diriyah E-Prix winner Nyck De Vries says he is happy to be racing in the competition again and is relishing the opportunity to compete in Saudi Arabia this weekend.
The Dutch driver will be behind the wheel for Mahindra Racing in season 10 after a brief stint in Formula One, and will be looking to build on his successes in Formula E where he was crowned champion in 2021. That year saw him win his first Diriyah race and later followed it up with another Saudi Arabia victory in race one in 2022.
While he is looking forward to Diriyah, he feels it would be a tough challenge to replicate his success in both races on Jan. 16 and 17.
“If I could win a race that early in the season it would be incredible and would exceed all expectations,” De Vries said. “However, I don’t believe it’s realistic at this point. We believe we can progress and improve but I feel it’s a little bit unrealistic at this moment of time early on in the season. We need to focus on ourselves and be competitive.”
Speaking of the racing track, he said: “The track is really cool and I think it’s the best example of how a Formula E track should be. There are lot of twists and turns and it’s a pretty quick track. It’s really nice to have Diriyah as the second and third races on the calendar. To race there twice at night is great and I have very good memories from Saudi so let’s see what we can do there.”
De Vries was among the attendees present at the London races last season and that paved the way for a return to Formula E.
“I was in the paddock for the last races in London and that was where it started as I had met the Mahindra team,” he said. “I always had the intention of coming back and it’s good to be here in Formula E again.”
Rounds two and three take place on a street circuit surrounding the UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the most picturesque locations on the 16-race calendar, and the only night races in the Formula E season.
