Home Single-Seaters FormulaE De Vries stays with Vandoorne as Mercedes launch 2020/21 Formula E car

Nyck de Vries, Stoffel Vandoorne, Mercedes, Formula E — Mercedes-Benz EQ Formel E Team Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team

De Vries stays with Vandoorne as Mercedes launch 2020/21 Formula E car

29/10/2020

Nyck de Vries and Stoff Vandoorne will continue to race in FIA Formula E Championship as Mercedes launch their 2020/21 car.

Having entered in Formula E last year, where they ended up third in the teams’ standings with 147 points, Mercedes will look forward to enhance its chances in 2020/21 and go all out to win the championship in only its second year in the all-electric series.

They have retained the services of Vandoorne and de Vries, who finished second and 11th respectively – the former outshining several of Formula E veterans on the grid. The Belgian had a win and three podiums, with the latter registering a lone podium.

While Vandoorne will aim for the Formula E title, de Vries will be looking to improve his position after a year of learning. “I’m really looking forward to racing again,” said the Belgian. “It seems like ages since the last time out, racing in Berlin. We’ve done some testing with the new car since then and it was real nice to get back behind the wheel but nothing can come close to the feeling of going up against the best in the field.

“I can’t wait to see how we do with our new car next year. We were able to successfully conclude last season with a win and I hope that we can fight for podiums and victories again next year and can close the gap on the guys at the top a little bit more. Let’s wait and see how it goes.”

At the same time, de Vries, said: “I am honestly delighted to be able to contest a second season in Formula E with the team. We had a strong debut season together, although it was a bit of a strange year, in which Covid-19 changed everything after a few races. Fortunately, we were still able to finish the season on a positive note and I’m now looking forward to what will hopefully be a more normal season in 2021.

“I hope too that I can get to know all the new circuits that I haven’t been able to compete on so far. I feel very comfortable in the team and hope we can use the foundations we have built together to achieve more success next year.”

Having turned to an all-black livery in the latter half of the 2019/20 Formula E season, Mercedes will shed it to adopt a new scheme of silver colour with tinge of black and the Petronas-like lines of greenish blue, dubbed as ‘EQ Blue’.

The team has brought an updated drive train, which is the biggest change from last year, for its Mercedes-Benz EQ Silver Arrow 02. “We were very pleased with Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries last season,” said Team Principal Ian James. “They both turned in strong performances, gained valuable experience with the team and showed that they have the right skill sets for Formula E.

“They are not only incredibly fast but also have the intelligence and mental capacity to deal with energy management and the unique nature of the races in Formula E. They can now bring this experience to bear in Season 7.”