Formula E 2021/22 champion and former Formula One driver Stoffel Vandoorne has been announced as a reserve and test driver for British Formula One team Aston Martin.
Vandoorne will partner with Felipe Drugovich, serving as the team’s two test and reserve drivers and will work on intensive simulation and development programmes at the team’s factory in Silverstone. Along with duties for Aston Martin, Vandoorne will continue to participate in Formula E as well, racing for DS Penske for the 2022/23 season.
Vandoorne raced in Formula One between 2016 and 2018, partnering Fernando Alonso, While he made a couple of appearances in the 2016, the Belgian made his full season debut at the 2017 season alongside Fernando Alonso. Vandoorne had a rough couple of years with McLaren as he failed to score points and was eventually replaced in 2019 by Carlos Sainz. Since then, he made a switch to Formula E, and most recently won the championship racing for Mercedes. Along with his Formula E duties, Vandoorne has continued to serve as a reserve driver to both McLaren and Mercedes.
By joining Aston Martin, Vandoorne will be reunited with Fernando Alonso, who was his racing partner at McLaren between 2016 and 2018. Two-time world champion Alonso will be joining the British team in 2023 on a multi-year deal after declining an offer by Alpine to continue racing for them.
Vandoorne commented:
“It is incredibly exciting to be stepping into a reserve-driver role in Formula One – and I’m delighted to be doing it with Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team. I’ve watched with great interest how the team has developed and expanded operationally, and I know how incredibly determined it is to make progress in every area.
“Joining Fernando, who I already know from my Formula One racing career, and Lance, to help them develop and improve next year’s car will be a terrific job, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge – and reward – of working together with the whole organisation at Silverstone.“
Mike Krack, Team Principal, Aston Martin Formula One team, said:
“Stoffel has all the capabilities we need for this new and expanded role within the team: he is fast, analytical, hard-working and a fantastic team player, and will fit perfectly into our growing organisation, working alongside our other test driver, Felipe Drugovich.
“The whole team is hugely motivated for next year, and the appointment of Stoffel, alongside Fernando, Lance and Felipe, gives extra depth to our fantastic driver line-up. This will be a significant role for Stoffel, and we will be reliant on him to work hard with both our track and simulation and engineering teams to improve our performance for 2023 and beyond.“
Aston Martin currently have Nico Hülkenberg as their reserve driver, but with Vandoorne roped in for the role, it looks increasingly likely that Hülkenberg will be joining Haas to replace Mick Schumacher for the 2023 season.
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