Formula E returns to Portland with a former champion back on the rise

A year after losing his Formula 1 seat, Nyck de Vries arrives in Portland looking to get back on top of the grid.

PORTLAND — Two weeks before touching down in Portland, Nyck de Vries was soaked in champagne on the podium at one of the world’s most famous race tracks. 

De Vries is one of the most talented race car drivers in the world. He’s a two-time world karting champion, a Formula 2 champion, a Formula E champion and once held one of the most coveted seats in racing as one of the 20 drivers on the Formula 1 grid. Adaptability is the bread and butter of the 29-year-old, which is why he seemed as relaxed as possible outside of the Mahindra Racing garage Thursday afternoon at Portland International Raceway, preparing for a weekend in a completely different car than the one he helped to a second-place finish at the 24-hours of Le Mans earlier this month. 

“I always say the basics of racing remain the same. Driving a racecar fast, it doesn’t really matter what car it is, the basics remain the same in terms of wanting to brake as late as possible, going through the corner as quickly as possible and then putting the power down,” de Vries said. “So those very simple basics remain the same. The racing lines are similar, but obviously the sports side of things are very different.”