Stoffel Vandoorne feels that it is "hard to judge" the likelihood of him returning to Formula 1 off the back of his championship success in Formula E. Vandoorne was previously given his debut in F1 with McLaren back in 2017, but found himself without a seat on the grid at the end of the 2018 season. Since then, Vandoorne has competed in Formula E and clinched the World Championship for the first time in the 2021/2022 campaign. The Belgian's Mercedes-EQ teammate Nyck de Vries – who himself took the title in 2021/2022 – has departed the all-electric series to join the AlphaTauri team in Formula 1, but Vandoorne has played down his own chances of making an F1 comeback.
Vandoorne: I've had my opportunity in F1
"It's hard to judge," Vandoorne told media, including RacingNews365.com , when asked at the FIA Prize Giving Gala whether de Vries' move to F1 – as well as Nico Hulkenberg's comeback with Haas – had given him hope of a return. "Obviously, I've had a good season and then suddenly people start to talk about you again. "I've had my opportunity in Formula 1, and I think not only myself but a lot of people – even in the Formula E paddock and some other championships – deserve to have a chance in Formula 1. "But it's not always up to us, let's say. A lot of it comes down to the teams, what they want, what they're looking for. "So, from my side, the only thing I can do is to keep performing on track, and I think that's the best tool."
Vandoorne reflects on Aston Martin role
Alongside racing in Formula E for the DS Penske squad in 2023, Vandoorne also joins the Aston Martin F1 team as a reserve driver. When asked by RacingNews365.com about the adjustment required to switch between the two categories, the 30-year-old explained that adapting to the different simulators is something he has become accustomed to. "Obviously, I've not driven a recent Formula 1 car in a little while so, in terms of track experience, I can't really say how it would be to change from one to the other," Vandoorne said. "But I'm regularly jumping between simulators and, to be fair, you kind of get used to it very, very easily. "It kind of feels natural for me now and, to be honest, I feel like if I would be driving a Formula 1 car again, obviously the first run would be a little bit tricky, but I think it's something you pick up very quickly again in the end. "I think it's kind of a natural ability, as well, to be able to get used to it."
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