Newly crowned GP2 champion Stoffel Vandoorne is optimistic that he can earn a race seat on next year’s Formula One grid.
The 23-year-old Belgian driver has dominated the 2015 GP2 campaign, sealing this year’s title with two rounds remaining and breaking the all-time record for most poles, with eight in total. McLaren’s young star has won five times this year and stepped onto the podium 13 times – a record only bettered by current Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and Lotus driver Pastor Maldonado.
“Formula One is something I’ve been working on for quite some time, and now to have the GP2 title here is a bit of a luxury I would say with two rounds to go,” Vandoorne said after celebrating in Sochi.
Despite the chance of a race seat at McLaren next year being ended by the team extending Jenson Button’s contract, Vandoorne believes that there are still chances for him to earn a seat on the F1 grid.
“The next race is in over a month, so I can concentrate on preparing next year which is great. Unfortunately, nothing is decided for the moment, but I’m optimistic. I feel there are some chances out there. The next days and weeks are going to be crucial for next year.”
“I would say from a personal point of view, it’s definitely the best season I’ve had,” he added. “I’ve always had the speed since the beginning of my career, but over the years, I wasn’t always putting everything together although I was always finishing quite high in the championships. Even now, there are some things I can improve on! But this year, I was able to put everything together.”
Vandoorne will be keeping an eye on possible vacancies at Lotus, Manor and the possibility of joining former GP2 champion Romain Grosjean at Haas for their debut F1 season.
