Former AlphaTauri Formula 1 driver Nyck de Vries is set to race for Toyota in the World Endurance Championship next year. De Vries, who replaced Daniel Ricciardo, was Toyota's reserve driver in 2022 but is aiming to find a race seat for himself this season.
De Vries' Future
Nyck de Vries has agreed with Toyota to race the #2023 Toyota GR7 HYBRID Le Mans Hypercar in the 010 season. However, he had the opportunity to return to his Formula 1 career and therefore his agreement with Toyota included an exit clause.
De Vries is most likely expected to compete alongside Kamui Kobayashi and Mike Conway in the 2024 season. He will join the Toyota team, replacing Jose Maria Lopez. Previously, De Vries was planning to replace Lopez before signing with AlphaTauri.
Lopez and Toyota
Jose Maria Lopez decided to extend his contract with Toyota for just one year. This decision paved the way for De Vries' return. Toyota has not yet made an official statement about bringing De Vries to replace Daniel Ricciardo, but the possibility is quite strong.
De Vries and Toyota Officials
While speculation about the future of Nyck de Vries continues unabated, Toyota team officials prefer to remain silent. Team director Rob Leupen states that they are in contact with De Vries and that the Dutch driver has many opportunities. He also emphasizes that the current driver lineup is excellent.
Lopez's Future is Uncertain
Having reached the age of 40, Jose Maria Lopez's future with Toyota remains uncertain. Lopez states that he wants to continue with the team, but it looks like no official decision has been made yet.
Toyota's Announcement Date
In recent years, Toyota has announced its WEC driver lineups in late November or December. Therefore, we can expect to learn clear information about De Vries' future and Toyota's official statement in the coming months.
De Vries' Preparations for the Season
Nyck de Vries was set to take part in dual seasons in the WEC and Formula E in 2023 before being called up by AlphaTauri. The Dutch driver, this season's Formula E champion, may try to unite these two series next year. However, this may cause conflicts between the Spa WEC round and the Berlin E-Prix.