Highly rated McLaren young driver Nyck de Vries will join ART Grand Prix to drive alongside already confirmed Japanese racing driver Nirei Fukuzumi.
The 21-year-old Dutch racer tested for the ART team in the end of season tests at the Yas Marina circuit last year and ART has strong links with McLaren-Honda with three of the four confirmed drivers for GP2/3 this year having a strong affiliation with the Formula One team.
After winning back to back world karting championship in 2010 and 2011, de Vries earned a promotion to Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, in his third season in 2014 he won the title by over 100 points.
For 2015, DAMS snapped him up for their swansong year in Formula Renault 3.5 where he was partnered by experienced single seater racer Dean Stoneman.Vries beat the Brit in his debut year and finished third in the drivers’ standings.
He said: “I am confident that working with the best team, thanks to McLaren, will help me to quickly adapt to the car to get ready for the first race in Barcelona. I already know ART Grand Prix, there’s a great atmosphere in the team and I’m looking forward to the start of the season.”
While team manager Sébastien Philippe said: “ART Grand Prix is delighted to welcome Nyck into its GP3 squad. To help him climb the motorsport ladder is our mission and we are truly happy to do it through our collaboration with McLaren.
Alongside his raw speed, Nyck impresses with his strong commitment, focus and determination. When you take a look at his fantastic past achievements, you know that, with Nyck, you can aim very high and our target is clearly to win the championship.”
Interestingly, Vries is listed as the #4 ART driver strongly suggesting ART Grand Prix could be running four cars this season. European Formula Three racer, Charles Leclerc is expected to be announced as ART’s lead driver shortly.
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