Mercedes’ backup driving force, Stoffel Vandoorne, feels “ready to do a smart job” if a team wants it to intervene, even if it hasn’t driven a Formula One since 2018.
Vandoorne joined Mercedes at the end of a two-year stint at F1 with McLaren to lead his new Formula E team.
The Belgian got his first pole and victory in the final of the season in Berlin last week and took the moment’s position in the championship. He will now assume his role as a Mercedes F1 simulator and backup driver.
As things stand, Vandoorne will be waiting for Mercedes, his Racing Point visitor and his former McLaren and will move on to all the remaining races.
The 28-year-old is familiar with the existing Mercedes W11 from an operational point of view thanks to his paintings in the team’s Brackley simulator, but has not tested any F1 machines since he left McLaren at the end of 2018.
However, Vandoorne feels able to interfere if it is mandatory and says he is “sure I can do a smart job”.
“With McLaren, I know the other people there, because I’ve been here for a few years driving in F1 with them, so I don’t think it’s a challenge to participate,” Vandoorne told Autosport.
“I haven’t driven a Formula One in a long time.
“It would be strange at first, but I’m still pretty active with all the frames I make at Mercedes in the simulator and also for racing.
“So I’m sure I’ll at least know what to expect, let’s say.”
“I’m ready, I’m waiting and I’m sure I can do a job.”
Vandoorne’s F1 debut at the 2016 Bahrain Grand Prix came after a last minute from McLaren to upgrade the injured Fernando Alonso.
The Belgian had to be informed of the car’s procedures on his flight from a Super Formula check in Japan to Bahrain and finished tenth, all with minimal preparation.
“Pretty much, ” he nodded. “I controlled myself to do it at the time, having a lot of preparation. So I think I’d be much more prepared to intervene now.”
Vandoorne missed the chance to return to F1 when Sergio Pérez of Racing Point tested positive for COVID-19.
With the Belgian in Berlin to prepare for the top level of the Formula E season, Nico Hulkenberg has been called up through Racing Point to upgrade Perez for any of Silverstone’s races.
Vandoorne doesn’t have the hope of being called ‘because it means he’s probably in poor health or something’s ever happened to him.’
“I don’t want anyone to get sick, so it’s never preferable to start.
“It’s a position to be located.
“You never know when you’re going to have to intervene, but I’m in a position if something happens.”