Jost Capito bills Nyck de Vries’ Italian GP as a ‘good audition from him’

Jost Capito says Nyck de Vries put in a “good audition” for a Formula 1 seat with his points finish at Monza, but spoke of the “entire paddock”, not just Williams.

De Vries was a surprise call-up at the Italian Grand Prix, the 27-year-old climbing into Alex Albon’s FW44 when the Thai-British racer came down with appendicitis.

Despite having only one practice session with the team on Saturday, he out-qualified Nicholas Latifi and went onto score two points for the team.

In doing so he managed something Latifi has been unable to do all season, finish inside the top 10.

But that may be it for the reigning Formula E champion, a 100 percent scoring record for his Formula 1 career because as things stand Monza may be his one and only F1 appearance.

Williams have yet to learn whether Albon, who suffered complications after his operation, will be back on the grid for the Singapore Grand Prix and De Vries has no idea if anyone in F1 wants him for next season.

“Ultimately, it’s not up to me to decide whether I should have a seat or not,” he said. “Of course I can only do my job.

“We live in a competitive industry, so you’re as good as your last race and you’re always expected to perform – luckily I did that this weekend and grabbed this opportunity with both hands.”

Capito agrees it was a “good audition” but wouldn’t be drawn on whether De Vries is in the running for a 2023 Williams race seat.

“Whether this was a good audition from him? Yes, of course, you can put it that way,” the Williams team boss told De Telegraaf. “That he is capable of this is exactly what I had thought beforehand.

“You depend on several factors for a seat, but Nyck showed the entire paddock what he can do.”

Your #ItalianGP Driver of the Day 💯#WeAreWilliams pic.twitter.com/5nCkwsea4o

— Williams Racing (@WilliamsRacing) September 11, 2022

The German said he thought De Vries’ performance throughout the two days with Williams was “phenomenal”.

“Nyck suddenly had to get into the car on Saturday and then, after one free practice, he has to complete his first qualifying and first Formula 1 race ever,” he said.

“Of course he has experience in the simulator and has already completed a practice for us earlier this year. So I’m not saying it’s impossible, but it’s still very difficult.

“He showed this weekend that he can learn very quickly. And when you drive a race like that, without mistakes, that’s phenomenal.”

De Vries earned himself the ‘Driver of the Day’ award as voted by the fans, he did however also earn a reprimand from the stewards for erratic driving.

Read more: Damon Hill says Nicholas Latifi was not fast enough at Monza to stay in F1