News comes after Ron Dennis hints fourth driver in contention for 2015; But Eric Boullier thinks Belgian will spend a second year in GP2
Monday 24 November 2014 15:26, UK
Stoffel Vandoorne will drive for McLaren on both days of next week’s test in Abu Dhabi as rumours grow he could be in contention for a 2015 race seat.
The Belgian joined team’s young driver programme after clinching the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup title in 2012 and finished as runner-up to McLaren-junior Kevin Magnussen in his maiden campaign in FR3.5 last year.
The 22-year-old has continued his development with in GP2 this season taking four victories and currently sits second in the Drivers’ Championship. His pace over a single-lap has been particularly impressive in the closing stages of the campaign setting a Series record of four consecutive pole positions.
It was thought that McLaren’s 2015 decision boiled down to whether to partner Fernando Alonso with either Jenson Button or Kevin Magnussen, but speaking to Sky Sports F1 Ron Dennis suggested there could be another driver under consideration.
“You presume that let's say there are three people involved in this choice, but I think you should stretch your imagination to four,” he told Martin Brundle.
When asked if that might mean Vandoorne could get the seat Dennis cryptically added: “Might is an interesting word.”
Vandoorne was also present at Silverstone when the 2015 Honda engine was given its debut in an interim development car alongside two classic cars from the previous partnership. The Belgian shared driver duties with test driver Oliver Turvey.
The annoucement of Vandoorne's test drive came a matter of minutes after the Belgian took a dominant victory in the GP2 Feature Race in Abu Dhabi.
However, Racing Director Eric Boullier has suggested Vandoorne will be given another year in GP2 to challenge for the title.
“Stoffel has had a very interesting year. Four poles in a row, he has developed massively this year,” he told reporters.
“He only unfortunately could still be [GP2] vice-champion but to have the right slot at the right time in Formula 1 is difficult and I don’t think it’s going to happen next year.
“So it’s very likely he’s going to have the challenge to stay in GP2 and to win the championship.”
When the wisdom of not letting a race driver experience the Honda engine was questioned, the Frenchman explained next week’s Abu Dhabi running could be monotonous.
“When you go through the first checks of a new engine I promise you it’s a very boring job and we don’t know how many laps we will do," Boullier explained. "We expect as many as possible, but I’m not sure we will do that much.”
