Vandoorne assigned by Aston Martin to Spa tyre test

Aston Martin reserve Stoffel Vandoorne will make his F1 track debut with the team next week at Spa where the Belgian will take part in a Pirelli tyre test.

Vandoorne will share duties at the two-day test - which will involve more development work for Pirelli's blanketless tyres - with Lance Stroll while McLaren will also field a car for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Vandoorne, who last drove an F1 car in a test in Abu Dhabi in December 2020 when he ran with Mercedes, will have an opportunity to sample Aston's current AMR23 and get acquainted with the team's ground-effect machine which he regularly drives in Team Silverstone's simulator.

The track day will prove valuable should circumstances require that he be called upon by Aston to substitute for Fernando Alonso or Lance Stroll.

Earlier this year, ahead of the start of the season, Aston relied on its second reserve Felipe Drugovich to fill in for the injured Stroll during pre-season testing.

• Read also: Vandoorne happy with Alonso reunion at Aston Martin

Vandoorne, who made his F1 debut with McLaren and raced with the Woking-based outfit from 2016 to 2018, is dovetailing his reserve duties with Aston Martin on race weekends, in alternance with Drugovich, with his commitment in Formula E with DS Penske.

The 31-year-old, who won the all-electric series in 2022 with Mercedes, is also a reserve driver with the works Peugeot team in the World Endurance Championship.

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