De Vries set for surprise Red Bull role?

Nyck De Vries may be set to serve as reserve driver for Red Bull and AlphaTauri during F1's Mexico City Grand Prix, paddock sources have told RacingNews365.

After a poor half-season, De Vries was dropped from his AlphaTauri race seat after the British Grand Prix, with his place being taken by Red Bull's reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo.

Ricciardo's move to AlphaTauri means that Red Bull junior Liam Lawson is in pole position to serve as the team's reserve driver for the remainder of 2023.

The New Zealander is dovetailing his Red Bull commitments with racing in the Japan-based Super Formula championship, and with that series' final two races clashing with the Mexico City Grand Prix, Lawson will not be able to perform both roles.

RacingNews365 understands, therefore, that De Vries could be set to step in as test driver for Red Bull and AlphaTauri for the Mexico F1 weekend.

However, De Vries' participation with Red Bull in Mexico is said to be contingent on the Dutchman not signing a deal with another team beforehand, as De Vries remains under contract with Red Bull for 2023 despite his demotion.

The Dutchman has previously raced with distinction in both Formula E and the World Endurance Championship, and with teams in both series said to be interested in securing his services for 2024 and beyond, it may follow that De Vries' signing with a new outfit would result in the cancellation of his Red Bull contract and prevent him from serving in Mexico.