McLaren ‘reach agreement with driver’ for 2026 season as key signing secured | F1 | Sport

McLaren have reportedly decided to extend Nyck De Vries’ deal, with the Dutchman set to remain one of the team’s permanent simulator drivers for the 2026 season after a successful maiden campaign.

De Vries transitioned to the world of F1 after making his debut with Williams in a substitute appearance at the 2022 Italian Grand Prix. The former Formula Two and Formula E champion scored points on his debut and beat team-mate Nicholas Latifi, impressing the paddock.

Helmut Marko was particularly impressed and handed the 30-year-old a full-time drive for 2023 with AlphaTauri. However, De Vries struggled in his rookie season, and after navigating the first 10 races of the year with a best finish of 12th, he was replaced by Daniel Ricciardo.

Since then, De Vries has returned to Formula E with Mahindra Racing, but he has retained contacts in the F1 paddock, working as a simulator driver for McLaren. There, he played a key role behind the scenes in the Woking-based squad’s title defence.

According to a report from GPblog, De Vries, who spent time during race weekends refining set-ups for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the simulator at Woking, has signed a contract extension that will see him remain part of Andrea Stella’s squad for the first year of the new technical regulations in 2026.

With his McLaren duties to consider, De Vries is in for a busy 2026 season. The Friesland-born racer remains part of Mahindra Racing’s Formula E line-up, and is also set to compete for Toyota’s World Endurance Championship program once again this year.

As for McLaren, the reigning Constructors’ champions face a tough battle to retain both crowns this year, with new technical regulations promising to shake up the pecking order and give other teams a shot at silverware.

“There were challenging moments along the way, and we definitely made some mistakes that played into the hands of our competitors – which are important to acknowledge – but these were dealt with swiftly and provided valuable lessons that made us better as a team.

“We are racers and have been in this sport long enough to understand that s*** happens, and it’s part of the game – what’s important is how we react in these situations to help drive us forward. When we make mistakes, we take responsibility. We address difficult situations directly, openly, and constructively, ensuring we move forward stronger and more aligned.”