Stoffel Vandoorne has undoubtedly dominated the season so far, and it will be difficult to take the GP2 crown away from the Belgian. In an exclusive interview with Read Motorsport the GP2 championship leader talks about his season so far, reveals the secret behind his good results, and discusses his chances to step up to Formula 1 in 2016.
Read Motorsport: After you needed a while to adapt to the GP2 Series in your debut season, you have been dominating clearly. Has that exceeded your expectations?
Stoffel Vandoorne: It’s always been my target to dominate this season so… We had a pretty good first season with some ups and downs, and the end of that first season was really strong with four pole positions and a couple more victories. I went into this season with a very good feeling, with the same team as well. I knew it was possible to achieve great things, so I think up until now we have achieved that. Again, four pole positions already this season, and five victories, so we can’t really complain at the moment.
Read Motorsport: What do you think is it that makes you stand out and dominate like this, what is your ‘secret’?
Stoffel Vandoorne: Well, I don’t know, really. Last year, we made some mistakes, on my side and from the team’s side, so I think we all learned from that. I have corrected my mistakes and the team is on top of things much more than last year. We have always been honest with each other and admitted the mistakes we made, and I think that helped us to create a good relationship and to really build on that. So now I think we really understand how to put a GP2 weekend together.
Read Motorsport: With a season full of highlights, what has been your favourite moment so far?
Stoffel Vandoorne: Probably two: There’s the victory at Monaco and the victory at Spa. As a racing driver, you usually want to win two races, one of them is Monaco and the other one is usually your home race. I have ticked these two off this season, so it’s a really good feeling.
Read Motorsport: The race at the historical track of Monza is a highlight for many drivers. Is it special for you as well, and how does it compare to your equally legendary circuit at Spa, your home race?
Stoffel Vandoorne: It’s a really good track here at Monza, I’ve usually had very good results here in the World Series, in Formula Renault, and last year in GP2 I won here as well, so I’m lining up second this afternoon for the race so we will see what I get out of it, but it’s always a special place to race, a really tricky one. The racing is always really great here with the long straights A lot can happen, we’ll see what happens.”
Read Motorsport: You are starting the race today from P2. What are your expectations?
Stoffel Vandoorne: We are in a front position again so anything is possible. I think this year it will be a bit trickier than last year because of the DRS, so I think the racing will be very close, and we will see a lot of overtaking. P2 is a good start position, if I have a good start, I think we can fight for the victory.
Read Motorsport: As a McLaren junior driver, you are regularly linked with an F1 drive with the team. Do you think that winning the GP2 championship will have a big influence on your chances to drive for McLaren next season?
Stoffel Vandoorne: Well, it definitely helps if I can become the GP2 champion. It will show that I am definitely ready for it and I do feel ready for F1 now, so all I can do is concentrate on GP2 and try to show that I am the best choice to get a Formula 1 seat next year.
Read Motorsport: Would you consider leaving McLaren at the end of the season if you cannot get a drive with the team for 2016?
Stoffel Vandoorne: At the moment I have a contract with them, so obviously I talk a lot with them about the options for next year, and I am pretty confident they will keep supporting me for the following stages in my career. But for the moment nothing is decided, so we don’t know yet what is going to happen next year.
