We have already been speaking with Stoffel Vandoorne last year, during his debut season in GP2 series, when he was bravely fighting with Jolyon Palmer and Felipe Nasr. Both of whom are already in Formula 1 world, so that Stoffel has no more real rivals in GP2 series, where is has been doing what he wants since the first round in Bahrain and his victory in the championship is just a matter of time. Additionally he is also a part of McLaren F1 Team, what supports him in his way to Formula 1. Even though he has such a big talent, confirmed by many successes, his promotion to the top motorsport category is still uncertain. Due to the fact that there are two world champions who represent the team from Woking in Formula 1 and Kevin Magnussen waiting for his chance as well, making next step forward may seem to be problematic. Nevertheless, Stoffel believes that doors to Formula 1 are still open for him. Perhaps he is right, as every month there are more and more rumors about Jenson Button's plan for future and these days Kevin Magnussen has broken his hand as well. It means that Stoffel is flying to Singapore now and hole in those doors is getting even bigger... Let's see our conversation with Belgian's motorsport uprising star.
Wojtek Paprota: Stoffel, your situation has changed significantly since we last talked last year, you are leading the championship, but you are still not sure if you will be in Formula 1 next year, am I right?
Stoffel Vandoorne: Yes, nothing has been decided yet.
Wojtek: Even if you win GP2 series this season, will it improve your position in all of the negotiations?
Stoffel: It is difficult to say. It is all looking pretty good so far. We have got a good lead in the championship and we are trying to maintain it and trying to build our gap as well. I am trying to do my best as usual in GP2 and show that I am ready for the step up, for Formula 1. I do feel for that but I need to wait a bit and see what opportunities are available for next year.
Wojtek: You are McLaren development driver so naturally it is the first team you are looking at but do you have any other options for next year? Are you in talks with any other teams?
Stoffel: I have a contract with McLaren so far so my main talks go with them. I am talking a lot with Ron and Eric about next year and I am discussing my options with them.
Wojtek: As you have been their development driver for 2 years, what kind of profits you get from this job? What have you already learnt?
Stoffel: There is a lot to learn. I am fairly new to Formula 1, I have been reserved driver last year and test driver this year, so I am really much involved it the racing team. I spent a lot of time in the simulator which is good for my learning and with the engineers. I also do my physical trainings with McLaren so I am a part of this team and this is the best school to prepare myself to Formula 1.
Wojtek: If you had to choose one thing what could help you to graduate from GP2 series and get into the Formula 1, what would it be: more sponsors and money or bigger experience?
Stoffel: It is impossible to judge now. To be honest there is nothing decided yet for next season but I hope that we will have some more news during next few weeks. At the moment I am keep pushing on GP2 and prove that I am the best product available and I hope that I won't need anything more.
Wojtek: As you know, GP2 champion can't race is this category anymore, so if the contract with any Formula 1 team doesn't work, will you have any plan B for next season?
Stoffel: As long as there are opportunities in Formula 1 I keep believing in them and keep pushing for them. I do feel that there are opportunities available for next season. However, as I said, nothing has been decided yet, I am 100% concentrated for Formula 1.
Wojtek: Do you think that one day ART Grand Prix or any other team from GP2 series can graduate to Formula 1? As we all know the situation is not good at all and there are many talks about client teams and ART has been linked with F1 but there are just talks...
Stoffel: I don't know. I don't think that there will be any significant changes next year, maybe in the future, but I think that no one knows what is going to happen.
Wojtek: Has anything surprised you this season in GP2?
Stoffel: Not so much to be honest. I think that I know everything from last year and the series hasn't changed since last year.
Wojtek: What else GP2 can adopt from Formula 1 make the cars even faster and to give the drivers the possibility to learn even more and prepare in even better way for F1?
Stoffel: I think that GP2 is a good series already and it is very good preparation to Formula 1. I have already experienced it because I have done a few tests with McLaren so I know what it is to get from GP2 car to F1 car. We shouldn't make the car too complicated as well. The car is good as it is. We have DRS added this year which is step closer to Formula 1. In the end, it is a feeder series to prepare drivers to Formula 1 and you can't expect GP2 being the same as Formula 1.
Wojtek: There are many talks about closed cockpits to be introduced to Formula 1 and all the other series after Justin Wilson's and Jules Bianchi's fatal accidents. Do you think that it would a good decision or not?
Stoffel: It is difficult to give the right answer on that, probably everybody has a different vision on that. First of all we have to look at all the profits and defects what it can brings. The FIA, as usual, do really great job to improve safety and I think they are looking into it with different Formula 1 teams. Some people immediately directly "yes, we should have closed cockpits", but there is a lot of operational stuff you have to look at before you really introduce it.
Wojtek: What are the major differences between GP2 car and Formula 1 car?
Stoffel: Obviously Formula 1 is a bit quicker, the engines are more powerful what makes the most significant difference and there is of course the operational stuff as well. There are a lot of more people who are in Formula 1 and you have to communicate with. In GP2 we have 12, 13 or 14 people in the team we work with and in Formula 1 there are 700 people in the big team. It is also a completely different way of founding that.
Wojtek: What is the thing what a racing driver needs to learn to race in Formula 1 and achieve successes there, but what he can't learn in the junior categories?
Stoffel: I don't know, those are the things what you will know only when you experience something. I can't say anything about it now but I hope that I will in near future!
