Vandoorne eyes F1 chance after dominant GP2 title

McLaren-Honda test and development driver Stoffel Vandoorne hopes winning this year’s GP2 Series in emphatic style will elevate him to Formula One, although opportunities of a fully-fledged race seat remain scarce.

Having led from the outset, the Belgian wrapped up the title with two rounds to spare in F1’s official feeder category, courtesy of his third- and fourth-place finish at Sochi. Asked what the future now holds for him, Vandoorne replied:

“Hopefully Formula One. It’s 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. The next one is in over a month [in Bahrain on November 19-21], 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.”

In the wake of a strong GP2 rookie season that saw him win four races and finish runner-up to Lotus F1 Team reserve driver Jolyon Palmer, Vandoorne entered the 2015 campaign as heavy favourite and had to deliver in order to keep his F1 dream alive.

“I knew what my job was. I wanted to dominate the Series in my second season. McLaren as well: everybody said that I had everything at my disposal to win it. To have managed that is a great feeling.

“There’s always some pressure when you start a season, but I think we’ve managed that very well. So far we have four pole positions and five victories. We still have two rounds left. I still feel we can add a little bit more to that.”

Besides McLaren-Honda reserve driver Kevin Magnussen, Vandoorne was also tipped as a potential replacement for Jenson Button before the Briton was confirmed at Woking for 2016.

To this date, the only remaining vacancies for next year are the two Manor seats and Romain Grosjean’s Lotus drive following the Frenchman’s departure to Haas.

With Magnussen not inclined to wait in the wings for another year, Vandoorne could then be promoted to the official McLaren-Honda reserve role in lieu of his former Formula Renault 3.5 Series rival.

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