One-stop strategy key to Vandoorne's 'great recovery'

  • Published on 29 Oct 2018 13:12
  • comments 2
  • By: Fergal Walsh

In Mexico, Stoffel Vandoorne bagged his first top ten finish since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 15 races ago. The Belgian had another disappointing qualifying session on Saturday, dropping out of Q1 and once more not getting the better of teammate Fernando Alonso.

But Sunday proved to be a more favourable day. Vandoorne raced a one-stop strategy, starting the race on ultra soft tyres. He pitted early, on lap 12, and fit the super soft tyres which he succeeded in nursing to the end of the race. After dropping to nineteenth on the opening lap, Vandoorne managed to climb his way back up the order with his consistent pace.

“I’m super happy with that result today – a great race,” said the 26-year-old. “We knew it was possible to score points here with a lot of preparation that we’ve put into this race, in terms of what strategy to choose – one or two stops – and ultimately we made the tyres last for one stop.

“After lap 1 we were last, so it was a great recovery – some good overtakes on track, which were very crucial, and at the end making the tyres last. It wasn’t easy in the beginning but I was always kind of there at the right time, attacking when I had to and managing the tyres at the same time.”

Vandoorne's teammate Fernando Alonso failed to finish the race after his cooling system was damaged on lap 1. Despite this, McLaren out-scored Force India, who failed to get inside the top ten, with the points for Vandoorne allowing the Woking squad to extend the gap ahead of the pink panthers.

"The crucial point was when we had to decide to go for one or two stops – the tyres were looking very, very tricky and we managed to recover a little bit and that was the crucial moment,” added Vandoorne. “Finishing eighth is first of all a great result for myself, but also for the team to score some points for the constructors’ (championship).”

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • Good for Stoffel. Hopefully he shows some potential these last few races. Otherwise, it will be difficult to make a comeback to F1.

    • + 0
    • Oct 29 2018 - 16:32
    • And I do hope we'll see him back in F1. I think its way too early for him to leave.

      • + 0
      • Oct 29 2018 - 18:36

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 371
  • Podiums 5
  • Grand Prix 127
  • 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