With NASCAR offseason testing already underway, IndyCar is set to follow suit soon at Sebring. When that test happens on the sixth of December, a pair of Formula E teammates will take the track. Both drive for Mercedes EQ in Formula E, Stoffel Vandoorne, and Nyck de Vries. If you are in the category of being unfamiliar with the pair, both are excellent racecar drivers. With the Mercedes EQ team closing its doors after 2022, this is a big deal as both drivers could potentially call IndyCar home down the road.
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Nyck de Vries’ Resume
The 26-year-old de Vries has the more impressive resume of the two Mercedes EQ drivers from this season. He was crowned the first-ever Formula E World Champion back in August (World Championship status in Formula E granted this year by FIA). Despite also winning the FIA Formula 2 crown two years ago as well, a Formula 1 seat was not in the cards. De Vries also serves as one of two test drivers for the Mercedes-AMG F1 Squad.
When he takes the track at Sebring, it will be with the Meyers Shank Racing squad. They of course being the team that won the 2021 Indianapolis 500 with Helio Castroneves. While an F1 seat once again alluded him this silly season, IndyCar could absolutely serve as a nice spot for the accomplished Dutchman. That is if he wants to of course. He will be a name for sure during the 2022 IndyCar silly season.
Stoffel Vandoorne Resume
Next up is de Vries’ teammate Vandoorne. While the Dutchman has the youth advantage, the Belgian is no slouch. Like de Vries, Vandoorne is also a former Formula 2, then GP2, Champion. Doing so back in 2015 with a seven-win campaign before moving up to McLaren F1 two years later. Although his F1 stint was lackluster, McLaren were far from contenders, so how much of that being on him is debatable. A good feather in his cap, however, was a third-place finish in the 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans, both in the LMP1 class and Overall. He also serves as a Mercedes F1 test driver alongside de Vries.
Unlike de Vries, Vandoorne will participate in this test with the Arrow McLaren MP squad. One of IndyCar’s best, coming off a great year where Pato O’Ward was in the title hunt from start to finish. They will most certainly put Vandoorne in the best possible spot to succeed at Sebring. His experience in both open-wheel and endurance racing could be invaluable for any team in the IndyCar paddock.
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