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Formula E: Stoffel Vandoorne to drive for HWA Racelab in 2018-2019

By Asher Fair

SUZUKA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 04: Stoffel Vandoorne of Belgium and McLaren F1 talks in the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on October 4, 2018 in Suzuka. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
SUZUKA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 04: Stoffel Vandoorne of Belgium and McLaren F1 talks in the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on October 4, 2018 in Suzuka. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
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Stoffel Vandoorne is set to make the switch from Formula 1 to Formula E, as he is set to drive for HWA Racelab in the 2018-2019 season.

Stoffel Vandoorne, who has driven full-time in Formula 1 for McLaren in each of the last two seasons, is set to switch to Formula E for the 2018-2019 season. He is set to drive for HWA Racelab, a team that have never previously competed in Formula E.

The 26-year-old Belgian is set to be a teammate to 37-year-old Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) driver Gary Paffett, who hails from England.

Here is what Vandoorne had to say about the opportunity to drive for HWA Racelab in the 2018-2019 Formula E season, according to Crash.net.

"“I am honoured that HWA have signed me for their Formula E programme. HWA are such a great team with a long and successful history in motorsport. All the people I’ve met so far are really passionate about racing. Also, it’s great to work alongside such an experienced driver as Gary Paffett. I am pretty sure that we will benefit from each other during the season.”"

Here is what HWA Racelab team boss Ulrich Fritz had to say about the matter, according to Crash.net.

"“Stoffel has demonstrated his talent and his speed not only in Formula 1, but also in the 2015 GP2 which he won by a wide margin. In Stoffel and Gary, we have two Formula E rookies on our team, which in any case is making its own debut in the electric series. We all have a lot to learn together.“However, Gary and are Stoffel outstanding racing drivers who have a wealth of experience gained in Formula 1 and in the DTM. Both know how to work in collaboration with the engineers to develop and fine-tune a new racing car. These are precisely the sort of strengths that will count for a lot in our first Formula E campaign. It gives me confidence that we and our two drivers are well prepared for the challenges ahead.”"

Shortly after current McLaren driver and two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso announced that he will be retiring from Formula 1 once the season comes to an end, current Renault Sport driver Carlos Sainz Jr. was announced as his replacement.

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It was then revealed that McLaren would also be cutting ties with Vandoorne once the 2018 season concludes, thus completely overhauling their driver lineup for next year. Carlin Formula 2 driver and McLaren reserve driver Lando Norris was selected to replace him shortly thereafter.

While McLaren CEO Zak Brown urged Scuderia Toro Rosso to sign Vandoorne for the 2019 season, that did not end up happening, leaving Vandoorne without a Formula 1 ride for next year.

Vandoorne had previously been rumored to join IndyCar with McLaren, as the Woking-based team are still exploring the possibility of joining the American open-wheel series on a full-time basis next year, possibly with Alonso as a driver. But with Vandoorne’s full-time move to Formula E having been confirmed, there is no way that he will compete in IndyCar next year.

Vandoorne has made 37 starts in his Formula 1 career so far, including one in the 2016 season as Alonso’s replacement. He has recorded seven top 10 finishes, including three in the first four races of this season.

His career-high finishes are seventh place finishes, which he recorded in the Singapore Grand Prix and the Malaysian Grand Prix last season. He finished in 16th in the driver standings last season and currently sits in 16th with four races remaining on the 2018 schedule.

Vandoorne has competed in several other series throughout his racing career, including F4 Eurocup 1.6, Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, Formula Renault 2.0 NEC, the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, the GP2 Series and the Japanese Super Formula Championship. He won the 2010 F4 Eurocup 1.6 championship, the 2012 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 championship and the 2015 GP2 Series championship.

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How will Stoffel Vandoorne perform in his first season competing in Formula E? The 2018-2019 season is scheduled to begin on Saturday, December 15 with the Ad Diriyah ePrix at Riyadh Street Circuit in Saudi Arabia. The Formula 1 season is scheduled to end on Sunday, November 25 with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, so he will hardly have any time to rest between seasons.

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