Nyck de Vries Reveals What’s Next After Le Mans Triumph
About this episode
Nyck de Vries celebrates his Le Mans 24 Hours win and explains what comes next: endurance preparation, mental stress management, and the tactical details that decide the final laps. He describes Le Mans as an endurance “by itself,” staying on the lead lap, locking himself away for the last 75 minutes, and adjusting fuel saving after an extra lap. With safety periods, tire choices, and BMW pressure, the victory feels earned. Afterward, he points toward IMSA and keeps building for Formula E.
endurance tests
"I think it's the whole build up to it, the preparations that start early in the year with all the endurance tests we do."
Endurance tests are practice sessions focused on long-run reliability and repeatable performance, not just single-lap speed. Teams evaluate things like tire wear, fuel/strategy planning, and how the car stays stable over extended stints.
Multaland
"You are out at Puerto Ricardo, Multaland, and going through the night, pitch dark, no one on track, you're doing your laps, and it's all done for this big race."
Multaland is another track mentioned where teams do endurance practice, including driving at night. The goal is to learn how the car behaves and how to stay consistent for long periods.
Multaland is referenced as another circuit where endurance testing happens, including night driving. Teams use these environments to practice traffic management, pacing, and consistent lap execution under fatigue.
Puerto Ricardo
"the preparations that start early in the year with all the endurance tests we do. You are out at Puerto Ricardo, Multaland, and going through the night, pitch dark,"
Puerto Ricardo sounds like a racetrack where drivers and teams practice and test before a big race. Endurance teams use these sessions to get the car and routines ready for long stints.
Puerto Ricardo is mentioned as a track location used for endurance testing and preparation. In endurance racing, test sessions at specific circuits help teams dial in setup and procedures before major races.
lead lap
"But it just proves that it's never done till it's done. And yeah, we always stayed in the lead lap and stayed in the fight."
In a long race, “lead lap” means you’re not behind the leaders by a full lap. If you stay on the lead lap, you’re still in the fight for the best overall result.
Staying on the lead lap means your car is still completing laps at the same pace as the race leader, rather than being lapped. In endurance racing, being on the lead lap is a major indicator that you’re still in contention for the overall win.
endurance racing
"Nick, I've never, this is Kevin, I've never done any endurance racing. And I watched the end of that race."
Endurance racing is when you race for a long time instead of just a short sprint. Drivers and teams have to manage tires, fuel, and strategy so the car keeps working until the finish.
Endurance racing is a motorsport format where the key challenge is lasting for a long time—often with driver changes, tire/fuel management, and strategy. It rewards consistency and keeping the car in one piece as much as speed.
checkered flag
"And as a driver, I just couldn't imagine not being in control of the car coming to the checkered flag. What were those last moments like?"
The checkered flag is the signal that the race is over. It’s the moment drivers want to reach, because after that you can finally relax and celebrate the result.
The checkered flag is the signal that ends the race, shown when the winner completes the required distance/time. In racing terms, it’s the moment drivers aim to control—especially in endurance events where strategy can swing late.
fuel saving
"because the end was quite tricky because we had to do an extra lap. [296.7s] because the end was quite tricky because we had to do an extra lap. [299.6s] So we had to do more fuel saving in that last stint."
Fuel saving is an endurance-racing strategy where drivers and teams deliberately reduce fuel consumption to stretch the car’s stints. It often involves adjusting throttle use, engine settings, and sometimes driving style so the team can avoid an extra pit stop.
margin and the gap
"So we really needed the margin and the gap to the BMW [305.8s] because we were kind of anticipating them to catch us a little bit in the last stint. [311.3s] But it all worked out."
The “gap” is how far ahead or behind you are in time. The “margin” is the safety buffer—how much room you have before you might lose position or run out of strategy.
In endurance racing, the “gap” is the time difference between cars (or teams) on track, while “margin” is the buffer the team has to manage risk. Teams use these numbers to decide how aggressively to push versus how conservatively to manage fuel, tires, and pace.
safety guard
"there's a safety guard that opens up everything and suddenly you're right back in the fight."
They’re describing a safety procedure during the race. When it ends and the track is cleared, the race effectively “restarts” and teams can push again.
In endurance racing, a “safety guard” opening up the track is describing a safety-related procedure that changes how the race is run. When it opens, cars can resume racing at full speed, which can dramatically affect strategy and momentum.
needle tyres
"my stint was very good with the needle tyres and we put ourselves in a great spot to actually win this."
“Needle tyres” are special tires used when the track is wet. Their tread helps push water out from under the tire so the car can grip the road better.
“Needle tyres” is a racing term for tires with a very specific tread pattern designed to cut through standing water and improve grip in wet or damp conditions. The tread helps channel water away so the car can maintain traction and avoid hydroplaning.
stint
"Like normally you sprint racing between one to two hours and everything is condensed in that time. But this lasts from the moment you arrive in Le Mans until the checkered flag on Sunday afternoon at 4pm."
A “stint” is how long one driver drives before switching to another driver. In long races, when you do stints affects tires, fuel, and overall strategy.
A “stint” is a driver’s timed period behind the wheel before they hand off to a teammate. In endurance racing, stint length and timing are central to strategy because tire wear, fuel, and traffic all change over time.
Caddy
"Obviously, ourselves, BMW and the Caddy were very much in contention."
“Caddy” here means Cadillac. It’s another manufacturer competing at Le Mans, and the speaker is saying they were strong during parts of the race.
“Caddy” is a shorthand reference to Cadillac in the context of Le Mans competition. Cadillac’s endurance entries are typically factory-backed and can be especially strong in certain phases of the race, like nighttime running.
BMW
"Obviously, ourselves, BMW and the Caddy were very much in contention."
BMW is one of the racing teams/manufacturers competing at Le Mans. They’re in the mix with their race cars, and their performance can vary depending on track conditions.
BMW is referenced here as one of the manufacturers/teams competing in the Le Mans class. In endurance racing, manufacturer entries often bring distinct car setups and performance strengths that can show up differently in day vs. night conditions.
temperatures increased during the day
"The BMWs were kind of always in contention and we really came alive when the temperatures increased during the day."
They’re talking about how warmer daytime conditions can make the car and tires work better. When the track gets into the right temperature range, grip improves and the team can push harder.
This is describing how track and air temperatures affect tire grip and car balance over an endurance race. Many race cars and tire compounds work best within a certain temperature window, so teams often “come alive” as conditions move into that sweet spot.
Monaco Grand Prix
"Because you know, in other sports like golf and tennis, you have four majors in a season [469.2s] and probably in racing you have two, which is Médic 3, [474.4s] the Monaco Grand Prix in 500 and Le Mans."
The Monaco Grand Prix is a famous Formula 1 race in Monaco. It’s known for being very twisty and hard to pass on, so driving skill is everything.
The Monaco Grand Prix is a Formula 1 race held on the streets of Monaco. It’s famous for tight corners, limited overtaking, and how much driver precision matters.
Le Mans
"and probably in racing you have two, which is Médic 3, [474.4s] the Monaco Grand Prix in 500 and Le Mans. [477.7s] But it's very rare or almost impossible to be participating in all three in a single year."
Le Mans is a legendary 24-hour endurance race. Teams have to keep the car quick and reliable for a full day, not just for a short sprint.
Le Mans refers to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of the world’s most prestigious endurance races in France. It’s known for multi-class racing, long stints, and the challenge of keeping a car fast and reliable for an entire day.
Toyota
"with your team members in front of everyone, seeing all the Toyota flags [501.6s] just gives a great sense of pride. [504.0s] But really, I mean, although that's all amazing, I was just so happy for us."
Toyota is a car company that also competes in racing. In endurance events, Toyota has been a big name with teams that race at places like Le Mans.
Toyota is a major global automaker and a prominent motorsport brand. In endurance racing, Toyota has fielded factory-backed teams and cars at events like Le Mans.
Cup Series
"But yeah, the pride towards ourselves was a great feeling. [524.4s] I see Toyota, obviously Toyota all over the side of that. [528.4s] We saw Kevin Magnuson this weekend in San Diego in the Cup Series."
The Cup Series is NASCAR’s main top-level racing series. It’s a different style of racing than F1 or endurance events, with stock cars and lots of oval-track strategy.
The Cup Series is NASCAR’s top national series in the United States. It’s a stock-car racing format with oval tracks and race strategies that differ a lot from Formula 1 or endurance racing.
Kevin Magnuson
"I see Toyota, obviously Toyota all over the side of that. [528.4s] We saw Kevin Magnuson this weekend in San Diego in the Cup Series. [532.8s] Is that anything that you ever thought about trying?"
Kevin Magnuson is a race car driver. In this segment, he’s brought up as someone who has competed in NASCAR’s top series.
Kevin Magnuson is a racing driver mentioned here as competing in NASCAR’s Cup Series. The host uses him as an example of a driver moving between different racing disciplines.
dirt track
"and I'd love to see his facilities and maybe get a test run on a dirt track or something. I've obviously watched all the Netflix series on NASCAR racing."
A dirt track is a race track made of dirt instead of pavement. Cars handle differently because the surface grips less consistently, so driving technique and setup have to change.
A dirt track is a racing surface made primarily of packed soil or clay rather than asphalt. It changes grip and traction dramatically, so cars need different setups and drivers use different lines and throttle/braking habits.
IndyCar
"And honestly, racing in the U.S. in general, I had a test in IndyCar with Meyer Schenck which went very well in 2021, but it was a bit early because I was still kind of pursuing F1."
IndyCar is a major U.S. open-wheel racing series—think race cars with exposed wheels. It races on different types of tracks, including big ovals like the one used for the Indy 500.
IndyCar (IndyCar Series) is a top-level open-wheel racing series in the U.S., featuring purpose-built race cars. It includes a mix of road courses, street circuits, and ovals, with the Indianapolis 500 being the most famous event.
F1
"which went very well in 2021, but it was a bit early because I was still kind of pursuing F1. And I definitely want to do Imsen, Daytona at some point in my career."
F1 is Formula 1, the top international open-wheel racing series. The cars are very advanced and the races are mostly on road courses and city streets.
F1 is Formula 1, the premier open-wheel road-racing series run under FIA rules. It’s typically raced on road courses and street circuits, with highly engineered cars and a strong emphasis on aerodynamics and tire management.
Indy 500
"Now you can come over and do NASCAR. You can come over and do the Indy 500. You can come and join us over here."
The Indy 500 is one of the biggest races in U.S. motorsport. It’s run on a huge oval track at Indianapolis, and it’s especially challenging because of the sustained high-speed racing.
The Indy 500 (officially the Indianapolis 500) is a marquee IndyCar oval race held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It’s famous for high speeds, specialized oval setups, and the unique challenge of racing for long stints on a superspeedway.
Formula E
"Because you're still racing in Formula E, obviously, at the same time as your endurance racing. And congratulations on the podium at the weekend."
Formula E is a racing series where the cars are fully electric. Drivers have to manage energy during races, and the events are often held on city-style tracks.
Formula E is an all-electric single-seater racing series. Drivers race electric cars with energy-management elements (like how much power to use and when), and the series often uses city circuits.
carts
"You've raced Formula 1. 2. You started in carts like so many kids around the world do. How do you find endurance racing and Formula E?"
Karting is where many future race drivers start. It’s a basic form of racing that helps people learn how to drive fast, race each other, and handle competition.
Karting (“carts”) is the common grassroots entry point for many professional drivers. It’s a small, low-speed racing platform that teaches racecraft like lines, braking points, and overtaking in a competitive environment.
marginal gains
"And really, the process of finding the marginal gains and working together with your team [666.7s] and pushing the limits is actually very much similar across all series."
It means trying to get a little bit better in lots of small ways. Even tiny improvements can add up to a big advantage in racing.
“Marginal gains” means chasing very small improvements—like fractions of a second—across many areas of racing. In practice, teams look for tiny efficiency wins in setup, driving technique, and strategy that add up over a race weekend.
risk versus reward
"Obviously, in endurance, the approach towards the racing is a little bit different. [677.3s] I think the risk versus reward is very important that you know when to attack and when not to attack."
It’s about deciding whether an aggressive move is worth it. Sometimes pushing harder can pay off, but it can also cause problems that cost you more later.
“Risk versus reward” is the decision-making tradeoff between taking a chance (like attacking for position) and the potential downside (like damaging the car or losing time). Endurance racing makes this especially important because one mistake can compound over long stints.
Formula 1
"[692.3s] And Formula 1 is kind of the purest form of racing we know and we grew up with. [698.4s] But the basics are the same across all."
Formula 1 is the most famous kind of open-wheel racing in the world. It’s known for very advanced race cars and a strong focus on driving and car development.
Formula 1 is the top-tier open-wheel racing series known for highly refined car development and driver skill. In this segment, it’s framed as the “purest” form of racing compared with other disciplines.
NASCAR
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think in NASCAR you guys don't get to test either. You have like two manufacturer test days allocated to a couple of specific teams and then you basically race the whole season."
NASCAR is a big American race series with stock cars. Here they’re talking about how teams get limited testing time, then spend the season racing.
NASCAR is a major American stock-car racing series, and this segment discusses how its testing rules differ from other categories. The host says NASCAR has limited manufacturer test days for certain teams, then the season is raced.
setup
"because it's really what makes the whole thing go around from a setup standpoint, especially when they're developing it around your driving style."
A “setup” is how the race car is adjusted to match a driver and a track. It’s not one-size-fits-all—teams change things so the car behaves the way the driver wants.
In racing, a car’s setup is the set of adjustments (like suspension, tire pressures, and aerodynamic balance) that tailor the car to a driver and track. The host is saying that being engaged in the process matters because the setup is developed around how the driver actually feels and drives.
Formula One
"So similar to Formula One and all endurance racing, we don't get to test anymore."
Formula One is the highest level of open-wheel racing. Here it’s mentioned because, like endurance racing, it doesn’t allow teams to test as much as they used to.
Formula One (F1) is the top tier of open-wheel racing, known for strict rules around testing and heavy emphasis on driver feedback and simulator work. In this segment, it’s used as a comparison point for how modern endurance-style series limit on-track testing.
Max Verstappen
"And I think Max Verstappen is the best example. He lives and breathes racing."
Max Verstappen is a famous Formula One driver. The point of mentioning him is that he’s always thinking about racing and stays fully engaged with the sport.
Max Verstappen is a top Formula One driver known for an intense, detail-focused approach to racing. The host uses him as an example of a driver who stays mentally engaged with racing even when he’s not actively driving.
simulator
"Of course, every day in the simulator is not the greatest day, but fundamentally I really enjoy to be part of the process."
In racing, a simulator is a computer-based driving setup that lets drivers practice and keep improving. It helps them learn and stay connected to the car and track even when they can’t test in real life.
A simulator in motorsport is a high-fidelity driving system used to practice, learn tracks, and help drivers communicate feedback for car development. The host contrasts simulator time with real-world testing, implying it’s still a key part of staying sharp and involved.
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