Breaking news
Formula E
Vandoorne: Future Mercedes Formula E drive a "target"
Stoffel Vandoorne says a 2019/20 Mercedes Formula E drive is a "target" for him to secure during his first season racing in the electric championship with the manufacturer's HWA affiliate.
Alex Kalinauckas
Edited: Dec 18, 2018, 9:02 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
HWA has entered FE as a customer Venturi outfit for season five, with Vandoorne also making his debut in the series after losing his McLaren Formula 1 drive.
Mercedes will take HWA's slot on the FE grid in season six and Vandoorne, who completed the first two days of 2018/19 pre-season testing at Valencia this week before leaving early to take part in this weekend's US Grand Prix, said he wants to be a part of the team's future evolution.
"We'll see, [but] yeah, that's definitely the target," he told Motorsport.com
"With this team I think for the future there is huge potential so you know it's good to join them now to be there at the start and hopefully I can give them the experience they need to develop and I would like to be part of that.
Due to his FE's squad's ties with Mercedes – it was also the manufacturer's motorsport boss Toto Wolff who recommended he consider joining the HWA project - Vandoorne retains a link to an F1 programme.
When asked if he would like to be in the frame for a Mercedes F1 drive in the future, Vandoorne said: "I mean my main focus will be Formula E – that's for sure, this is where I will be racing the next season and where I want to put all my focus as well – but at the same time who knows?
"It's a bit too early, I think maybe in some way I could still be involved with Formula 1, but how that will be, at this time I can't really tell you."
Vandoorne explained that he views his switch to FE as a long-term development for his career.
"I am [in FE for the long-term], and when I signed up with HWA, I knew that this team has a lot of talents," he said.
"They've obviously proved that in the different series they've been competing in in the past, just last week they won the DTM championship, and also knowing what is going to happen in the future with this team, there is huge potential here – so that's definitely something I'm looking forward too.
"There's a lot of drivers that combine different programmes – [my] main priority will be Formula E and so far there's not been really anything coming up for a second programme, but who knows?
"Now everyone kind of knows what I'm doing and we'll see whatever other opportunities come up."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Sims keeps BMW on top in Valencia Formula E test
Next article Nissan "very unhappy" about Toro Rosso's Albon bid
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Alex Kalinauckas
Who is Kimi Antonelli, F1 sprint polesitter at just 18?
Formula 1
Formula 1 May 3, 2025
Who is Kimi Antonelli, F1 sprint polesitter at just 18?
Why Bottas has the edge over Perez in 2026 F1 return race
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Apr 2, 2025
Why Bottas has the edge over Perez in 2026 F1 return race
What if Red Bull solved its second-car problem with a paint job?
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Apr 1, 2025
What if Red Bull solved its second-car problem with a paint job?
More from
Stoffel Vandoorne
Stoffel Vandoorne to leave Peugeot’s WEC Hypercar team after Fuji
WEC
WEC
Fuji
19 d
Stoffel Vandoorne to leave Peugeot’s WEC Hypercar team after Fuji
Aston Martin retains Stoffel Vandoorne as simulator, test and reserve driver for 2026
Formula 1
Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya Pre-Season Testing
8 mo
Aston Martin retains Stoffel Vandoorne as simulator, test and reserve driver for 2026
Stoffel Vandoorne to return to Peugeot in WEC 2026, replace Jean-Eric Vergne
WEC
WEC
Bahrain
11 mo
Stoffel Vandoorne to return to Peugeot in WEC 2026, replace Jean-Eric Vergne
Latest news
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
2 h
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Did Haas make the correct decision in signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027?
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
4 h
Did Haas make the correct decision in signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027?
Frederik Vesti steps up to full-time role as Cadillac Racing details 2027 IMSA lineup
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 4 h
Frederik Vesti steps up to full-time role as Cadillac Racing details 2027 IMSA lineup
Rafael Camara to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas for F1 2027
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
4 h
Rafael Camara to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas for F1 2027
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe