McLaren development driver romps to title in Russia with four races to spare; Belgian says "there are chances" at other teams with Button and Alonso filling McLaren seats
Friday 16 September 2016 11:24, UK
McLaren development driver Stoffel Vandoorne is targeting an F1 seat in 2016 after wrapping up the GP2 title in Russia with four races to spare.
The Belgian dominated the championship throughout 2015 and was never headed at the top of the drivers' standings.
Vandoorne's march to the crown was set up early in the season when he finished outside of the top two just once in the first eight races. That blemish on his record came in the reverse grid race in Monaco where overtaking is notoriously difficult, even for the ART driver.
Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso will fill McLaren's race seats next year, but Vandoorne has suggested he could be on the move to another team.
Hopefully Formula 1," Vandoorne said when asked what his next career step was.
"It's something I've been working on for quite some time, and now to have the GP2 title here is a bit of a luxury I would say with two rounds to go. The next one is in over a month, so I can concentrate on preparing next year which is great.
"Unfortunately, nothing is decided for the moment, but I'm optimistic. I feel there are some chances out there. The next days and weeks are going to be crucial for next year."
ART boss Frederic Vasseur has said it would be a "disaster" if his driver missed out on an F1 seat next year and the experienced Frenchman is rumoured to be the man Renault want to head their F1 programme should their takeover of Lotus go ahead. The Enstone team currently have a vacancy alongside Pastor Maldonado following Romain Grosjean's departure for Haas.
Don't miss Wednesday night's F1 Midweek Report for analysis of the Russian GP and all the latest talking points in the sport. GP2 team owner Trevor Carlin and F1 Racing magazine editor Anthony Rowlinson join Natalie Pinkham in the studio at 8.30pm on Sky Sports F1.
