Vandoorne Remains 100% Committed to Formula E

Stoffel Vandoorne says he isn’t looking at racing in a championship outside Formula E at the moment.

The former McLaren driver Vandoorne is currently racing for Mercedes-backed HWA in Formula E:

He said, “I’m allowed to do some more stuff but the main programme will always be Formula E.”

“To be honest now is very busy actually with fitting everything in because we do a lot of preparation work before the events. Because it’s a one-day event, everything happens during one day. That’s a very different way of going racing, you need to go in there 100% prepared during the day we have no time to look at a data trace or analyse anything. The preparation is key, I would say.”

“I think at some point if there is some opportunities to do some other racing next to this we’ll have to evaluate. But so far nothing is on the radar.”

It is fairly common for Formula E drivers to have other commitments during the season. In fact, some drivers even opt to miss a race to fulfil their other racing duties.

The Belgian confessed that his debut Formula E season has been disappointing so far. Inspite of this, the former McLaren man remains all smiles thanks to being refreshed by the ‘old school’ attitude of the series.

After Vandoorne had his frustrating two-year spell at McLaren ended late last year he had just three weeks from his final F1 race to his debut in Formula E.  Despite impressing in qualifying in the opening Ad Diriyah race he suffered difficulties with his HWA Racelab car and finished 17th.

The following race in Marrakesh was a disaster after he accidentally clashed with teammate Gary Paffett when cars piled up during a chaotic first turn which ended both his and his partner’s race within minutes.

Others might air their frustrations but Vandoorne remains positive ahead of the Santiago E-Prix – which will be broadcast live on BBC Red Button at 7pm – with the weight of his situation at McLaren lifted from his shoulders.

Having swapped the politics of the Formula One paddock to the fierce but friendly competition of Formula E, Vandoorne insists the change has been a positive one.