Vandoorne: "I'm still optimistic for F1 race seat 2016"

  • Published on 13 Oct 2015 09:43
  • comments 1
  • By: Kees Schooneman

New GP2 champion Stoffel Vandoorne is confident he will be on the formula one grid in 2016.

The Belgian, 23, wrapped up the title in Russia last weekend with two rounds still to run, with many declaring it perhaps the most impressive GP2 campaign in history.

But last year's GP2 champion, Lotus reserve Jolyon Palmer, failed to make the immediate step up to the F1 grid.

And while Vandoorne is strongly backed by McLaren, the Woking team's F1 outfit has signed up Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button for 2016.

McLaren also has a fourth driver, Kevin Magnussen, under contract, with team boss Eric Boullier saying recently: "We expect the four of them to race (in 2016)."

Vacancies, however, are scarce, with the newly Mercedes-powered Manor tipped to sign Pascal Wehrlein and Esteban Gutierrez linked with Haas-Ferrari.

"Nothing has been decided yet," Vandoorne was quoted by Brazil's UOL Grande Premio, "but I'm optimistic.

"I believe that there are chances with some teams. With the GP2 title guaranteed, I can now think about it in a relaxed way and without pressure.

"From the beginning of the season I knew that my goal for this season was to totally dominate the category in my second year. To be able to meet everybody's expectations is great," he added.

Replies (1)

Login to reply
  • khasmir

    Posts: 893

    You don't join GP2 and become champion without the goal of joining F1.
    They (FIA/whatever) should introduce a system where the GP2 champ gets a fair chance in F1 by providing a budget to make him more attractive for (smaller) F1 teams.
    If it's all about the money, then give it to the drivers that really deserve it. F1 would be a much better show with more drivers like Vandoorne and less drivers like Maldonado...

    • + 0
    • Oct 14 2015 - 19:03

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2023

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia
31 - Apr 2
Australia
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan
5 - May 7
United States of America
19 - May 21
Italy
26 - May 28
Monaco
2 - Jun 4
Spain
16 - Jun 18
Canada
30 - Jul 2
Austria
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom
21 - Jul 23
Hungary
28 - Jul 30
Belgium
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands
1 - Sep 3
Italy
15 - Sep 17
Singapore
22 - Sep 24
Japan
20 - Oct 22
United States of America
27 - Oct 29
Mexico
3 - Nov 5
Brazil
17 - Nov 19
United States of America
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
3 - Mar 5
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
26 - May 28
Monaco Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
16 - Jun 18
30 - Jul 2
Austria Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy Monza
15 - Sep 17
22 - Sep 24
20 - Oct 22
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
3 - Nov 5
Brazil Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Alpine F1
  • Points 326
  • Podiums 3
  • Grand Prix 124
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (41)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar