One GP2 champion, seeking new employment

(C) Alastair Staley/GP2 Series Media Service

Mercedes weren't the only ones celebrating clinching a championship last Sunday at Sochi. Over in the GP2 paddock, ART was helping Stoffel Vandoorne celebrate clinching the drivers' title in the feeder series as well.

The big question now is, what will the 23-year-old Belgian do next? The McLaren F1 test and development driver did exactly what he was told to do this year by going out an absolutely dominating the 2015 GP2 season - he sealed the title by pulling over 100 points clear of Alexander Rossi with four races still to go before the end of the year. That's quite a resounding success by anyone's standards.

But with the way forward at McLaren blocked by confirmation that Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button will stay with the team in 2016, what will Vandoorne do next? Another team on the Formula One grid perhaps? Another year in GP2 isn't an option, as former champions are forbidden from returning to the series in future years.

Maybe that's why we catch him trying his hand at being a cameraman, catching the behind-the-scenes celebrations in the ART garage after Sunday's sprint race that saw him secure the title. So was he any good? We'll have to ask the TV producers whether he has a good eye for this sort of work or whether he should stick to racing in the future!

Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.

Recent Posts

Alpine double-podium in Brazil could deliver $30 million windfall

Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…

14 hours ago

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2024 São Paulo GP

Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…

16 hours ago

Jos Verstappen rips British media after Brazilian Max fest

Jos Verstappen wasted no time after his son spectacular win at the São Paulo Grand…

17 hours ago

Leclerc left with ‘mixed feelings’ after disappointing Sao Paulo GP

Charles Leclerc's weekend in Sao Paulo was unfortunately a stark contrast to Ferrari's recent triumphs…

19 hours ago

Back when Kimi knew exactly what he was doing

Twelve years ago on this day, Kimi Raikkonen took a popular win at the 2012…

20 hours ago

Mercedes fined for starting grid tyre pressure infringement

The Mercedes team was hit with a fine by the FIA after Sunday’s Sao Paulo…

21 hours ago