For the first time since he lost his AlphaTauri Formula 1 drive halfway through 2023, Nyck de Vries was back at the wheel of a conventionally powered single-seater last month when he made his Super Formula debut at Motegi with Toyota squad Team Impul. And while the results may have been nothing special on paper – 18th in qualifying, 13th in the race – it’s clear that de Vries impressed many people in the paddock with his approach and demeanour, while the Dutchman was in turn full of praise for the Japanese series.
De Vries became the fourth different driver of the year to fill the seat, first vacated by Theo Pourchaire after just one race. Following Ben Barnicoat’s cameo at Autopolis, Toyota junior Hibiki Taira acquitted himself well in taking over the seat for Sugo and Fuji, but the case for Toyota to put World Endurance Championship regular de Vries in the car for Motegi was impossible to fault, particularly with his Formula E commitments on hold for the off-season.
