New Formula E champion Stoffel Vandoorne believes F1 will never return and says his future lies in Formula E.
Stoffel Vandoorne entered F1 for two seasons with McLaren in 2017 and 2018, at the time fighting alongside Fernando Alonso.
Fernando Alonso then took a two-year break from F1, while Stoffel Vandoorne, once promoted as one of F1’s most promising talents, was demoted from McLaren outright.
However, Stoffel Vandoorne has since officially signed a contract as a reserve driver for the Mercedes F1 team, and Mercedes has also assigned Vandoorne to partner team HWA Racelab, which would later become a works team in Formula E.
Stoffel Vandoorne, in his fourth season in Formula E, which ended in Seoul last weekend, gave Mercedes EQ its second successive world title.
Mercedes’ Formula E team has been sold to McLaren Racing, but Stoffel Vandoorne is not in McLaren’s plans for next season.
But regardless of what the future holds, Stoffel Vandoorne feels his time in F1 is past.
“I drove in F1 for two years, 2017 and 2018,” said Stoffel Vandoorne.
“I don’t think I’ll ever go to Formula 1 again, though I would never say never. It’s a crazy world and anything is possible.”
“But I don’t really feel the need to go back to Formula 1. I had the great opportunity to drive for Mercedes in Formula E.”
“Of course, that collaboration is coming to an end, but I was able to establish myself as a Formula E winning driver and now as a world champion.”
“I can see my future there, and I want to focus on it.”
Stoffel Vandoorne admits he would have preferred to defend his Mercedes EQ and Formula E world titles over other teams.
“Of course I think it’s a shame,” said Stoffel Vandoorne.
“I would have liked to continue with Mercedes in this championship.”
“When I joined the team I knew it was going to be a long collaboration, but it’s all over once and we have to keep going.”
“Fortunately everyone knew about last year’s decision, so it wasn’t a surprise. It gave everyone the opportunity to plan for the future.”
Category: F1 / Stoffel Vandoorne / Formula E