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Stoffel Vandoorne will compete in the fifth season of Formula E after signing a deal with HWA AG, a Mercedes-backed entry. It will be the German manufacturers first season in the series as the sport sees the introduction of the Gen 2 cars.
Vandoorne will partner recently crowned DTM champion Gary Paffett. The Belgian will leave McLaren in Formula 1 at the end of the year as the Woking squad confirmed its junior driver Lando Norris would take his seat after a disappointing season.
"I am honoured that HWA have signed me for their Formula E programme,” Vandoorne said. “HWA are such a great team with a long and successful history in motorsport. All the people I’ve met so far are really passionate about racing. Also, it's great to work alongside such an experienced driver as Gary Paffett. I am pretty sure that we will benefit from each other during the season.”
HWA join the grid for season five before it becomes Mercedes for the 2019/20 season. The next season of FE will kick off in December in Saudi Arabia, and Vandoorne becomes the seventh former F1 driver to be confirmed for the upcoming season.
"Stoffel has demonstrated his talent and his speed not only in Formula 1, but also in the 2015 GP2 which he won by a wide margin," said HWA boss Ulrich Fritz. “In Stoffel and Gary, we have two Formula E rookies on our team, which in any case is making its own debut in the electric series. We all have a lot to learn together.
“However, Gary and are Stoffel outstanding racing drivers who have a wealth of experience gained in Formula 1 and in the DTM. Both know how to work in collaboration with the engineers to develop and fine-tune a new racing car.
“These are precisely the sort of strengths that will count for a lot in our first Formula E campaign. It gives me confidence that we and our two drivers are well prepared for the challenges ahead.”
Grand Prix of Belgium
C. Sainz jr
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Replies (4)
Login to replyboudy
Posts: 1,168
Great for him. He will do well in that series. He comes across really well in interviews and will be a credit to his new team. Good Luck Stoffel !!
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
He really seem like a likeable fella. Shame he couldnt get an F1 seat for next year, but it is what it is. And maybe he can upgrade from FE to S-GT for the year after his FE stint. ;)
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Yes, Good for him. I think he will do well also. I would also like to see some back and forth with Formula E. Someone like Vergne or Buemi coming back into F1 would set a good precedent and potentially pave the road for other talented drivers to move back and forth between series. F1 really needs to sort out the problem of having more cars on the grid. There are so many talented drivers out there who could do well in F1 given the chance.
Bhurt
Posts: 320
People will literally watch anything. Good luck to him though.