De Vries was a reserve driver all season and followed race weekends in the Mercedes garage. He took part in an FP1 session for the team when he replaced Lewis Hamilton in France.
In Singapore, as it became clear he was likely to land an AlphaTauri driver next season, he was forced to take a step back.
He was no longer involved in any weekend meetings as the flow of technical information stopped, and this arrangement continued in Japan.
However, the team has yet to field a rookie FP1 session, and de Vries is expected to drive George Russell’s car in Mexico on Friday.
Elliott says the team has no concerns that de Vries will get a taste of the latest team developments before heading to a rival camp.
“We’re really happy for him, for the opportunity he has,” Elliott said. “Maybe a shame where he’s going, but that’s the way it is.
“I think he deserves this opportunity, I think he’s shown he’s a really good driver. Having him in the garage has been great, he’s a really nice guy, very connected, and he understands the car.”
“I think we trust him that we can put him in the car, we can do tests with him, and we can trust him not to look at things that we don’t want him to look at, and I think he’ll do a good job.”
Nyck de Vries, test and reserve driver, Mercedes AMG
Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images
Elliott noted that de Vries did relatively few simulations, as he focused on his own racing program: “He did. Obviously he also drove Formula E, which takes a lot of part of his time.
“But again, F1 is changing so fast. This learning happens at such a pace that what he did a year ago probably isn’t particularly helpful to him. I think what he could take away from here is how we work together, our process and our systems.
“As I said, I guess what we want is to wish him well. I think he was very honorable in the way he treated us, so no worries.”
De Vries stressed that, unlike Russell, he was not a Mercedes protege and was therefore always free to go elsewhere.
“I guess I was seen as a Mercedes driver for the past couple of years, which I was as far as I was racing for them in Formula E, and active as an F1 reserve driver,” the player said. 27 years old.
“But other than those contracts, there were no other affiliations. Of course, we built a very friendly relationship over the year, so they were very supportive and helpful.
“But at the same time, I’m here to look after my own interests. Of course, I hope they’re disappointed to lose something. I don’t know! You can [have to] ask them this question.
“But I also think they are happy for me and happy to see me having a grid opportunity in F1 next year.”
De Vries was a reserve driver all season and followed race weekends in the Mercedes garage. He took part in an FP1 session for the team when he replaced Lewis Hamilton in France.
In Singapore, as it became clear he was likely to land an AlphaTauri driver next season, he was forced to take a step back.
He was no longer involved in any weekend meetings as the flow of technical information stopped, and this arrangement continued in Japan.
However, the team has yet to field a rookie FP1 session, and de Vries is expected to drive George Russell’s car in Mexico on Friday.
Elliott says the team has no concerns that de Vries will get a taste of the latest team developments before heading to a rival camp.
“We’re really happy for him, for the opportunity he has,” Elliott said. “Maybe a shame where he’s going, but that’s the way it is.
“I think he deserves this opportunity, I think he’s shown he’s a really good driver. Having him in the garage has been great, he’s a really nice guy, very connected, and he understands the car.”
“I think we trust him that we can put him in the car, we can do tests with him, and we can trust him not to look at things that we don’t want him to look at, and I think he’ll do a good job.”
Nyck de Vries, test and reserve driver, Mercedes AMG
Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images
Elliott noted that de Vries did relatively few simulations, as he focused on his own racing program: “He did. Obviously he also drove Formula E, which takes a lot of part of his time.
“But again, F1 is changing so fast. This learning happens at such a pace that what he did a year ago probably isn’t particularly helpful to him. I think what he could take away from here is how we work together, our process and our systems.
“As I said, I guess what we want is to wish him well. I think he was very honorable in the way he treated us, so no worries.”
De Vries stressed that, unlike Russell, he was not a Mercedes protege and was therefore always free to go elsewhere.
“I guess I was seen as a Mercedes driver for the past couple of years, which I was as far as I was racing for them in Formula E, and active as an F1 reserve driver,” the player said. 27 years old.
“But other than those contracts, there were no other affiliations. Of course, we built a very friendly relationship over the year, so they were very supportive and helpful.
“But at the same time, I’m here to look after my own interests. Of course, I hope they’re disappointed to lose something. I don’t know! You can [have to] ask them this question.
“But I also think they are happy for me and happy to see me having a grid opportunity in F1 next year.”