Vandoorne: Focus is on Formula E, not Formula 1

  • Published on 14 Nov 2018 15:15
  • comments 2
  • By: Fergal Walsh

With just one round remaining in the 2018 Formula 1 season before he leaves McLaren, Stoffel Vandoorne says that his focus is on Formula E. The Belgian will make his debut in the electric series in December, racing with HWA.

Vandoorne has struggled throughout the 2018 F1 season, and is yet to out-qualify teammate Fernando Alonso this year. McLaren confirmed in September that Lando Norris will take Vandoorne's seat in 2019 and partner Carlos Sainz, who will replace Alonso.

"I think I’m starting a new challenge which I’m really looking forward to with HWA in Formula E,” Vandoorne said. “I don’t really have a break this winter, I’m going straight into that. My mindset is to do the best job there, so whatever happens in the future, it’s difficult to tell at this moment.

“We’ve seen the driver market this summer has been a little bit crazy, and no-one could have really expected what has happened. Things like that can happen in the future, and who knows what is going to happen? For now, I’m just focusing on Formula E and trying to do the best job there.”

Despite struggling throughout the course of his F1 career, Vandoorne believes he has benefitted from it, gaining some valuable experience that will aid him in his future racing career.

"Definitely it’s not been the best two seasons,” Vandoorne admitted. “I think I’ve had a great time with McLaren through the junior series, and they’ve supported me a lot to make the step into Formula 1. But the two years I’ve had in Formula 1 have been good in terms of experienced, but I would have much preferred to fight higher up.

“I think the timing was right to get to Formula 1. I think I was with the right team with the right support. I just think the competitiveness we’ve had over those two years has not been great. It would have been nicer to fight a bit higher up.”

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • RogerF1

    Posts: 501

    Think I might give FE a good look this year, read this week the entire programme will be live free to air viewing on the BBC :-)

    • + 0
    • Nov 14 2018 - 22:25
    • @Rogerf1 : Its still going to turn out to be the same 5 lap race that it has been to date. Incorect type of cars for the circuits and not much of a spectacle.... watch the highlights and you wont miss much.... a bit like F1 at the moment too i guess.... *rolleyes*

      • + 0
      • Nov 15 2018 - 01:29

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

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 - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 564
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 165
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (43)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar