There is a good chance that Nyck de Vries’s Formula 1 career will be limited to last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix for the time being. Williams reports Monday that Alexander Albon is recovering well from his appendix surgery and that the British Thai is working towards the next Grand Prix, which will be held in Singapore in three weeks.
Albon’s surgery was not without problems. Due to complications, he was even briefly in intensive care, but has since been transferred to the general care department. He is expected to be allowed to leave the Monza hospital on Tuesday and return home.
26-year-old Albon felt worse and worse last Saturday, after driving the first two free practice sessions at Monza on Friday. De Vries, who is under contract with Williams’ engine supplier Mercedes, was allowed to replace him. The Dutchman had an excellent Formula 1 debut by finishing ninth in the race on Sunday.
With his good race at Monza, De Vries did himself a good service. The driver, born in Sneek, already drives for Mercedes in the electric racing class Formula E and hopes for a permanent place in Formula 1 in 2023. He outperformed teammate Nicholas Latifi at Monza, who finished fifteenth and has an expiring contract with Williams. Albon has been stuck with the British racing stable for longer.
‘Focus Alex is on recovery’
Because the next Grand Prix is only three weeks away, Albon has relatively much time for his recovery. The Russian GP was initially scheduled for September 25, but it has been canceled due to the Russian war with Ukraine. “Alex’s entire focus is on recovery and preparation for the Singapore Grand Prix,” Williams wrote on his website.
De Vries earned two points for the World Cup standings with his ninth place at Monza, which is led by Max Verstappen. The debutant is above the still scoreless Latifi.
The race at Monza was the first GP since October 2006 with two Dutchmen at the start. At the time, Robert Doornbos and Christijan Albers competed at the Brazilian GP.
