Mercedes snaps up Formula 2 star de Vries

Mercedes has apparently signed up former McLaren simulator driver Nyck de Vries.

We reported in April that the 24-year-old Dutchman, who won the Formula 2 race in Monaco on Friday (photo) and is a 2019 title challenger, has left McLaren.

"I no longer do simulator work for McLaren," he confirmed.

In Monaco, McLaren boss Zak Brown confirmed that as well.

"We felt it was best for him, because it would be highly unlikely that he would end up in a McLaren," he said.

The Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reports from Monaco that de Vries has subsequently been snapped up by Mercedes.

"He is now doing simulator work for Mercedes," the newspaper claimed.

De Vries would not confirm that, but he did say in Monaco: "Life is good for me at the moment.

"I’m racing a lot and not at home very much."