Stoffel Vandoorne shows us his ambition in GP2 and for Formula 1

Your qualifying session did not go as well as in Bahrain since you will be 10th on the grid. What happened?

I didn’t feel 100% comfortable in the car. On a circuit like Barcelona, it’s complicated if you don’t feel perfectly at ease with the car because you won’t be chasing the last tenths of a second. But the performance was still better than what was on paper. I think we could have finished 4th or 5th because I had traffic in the last sector while I was four-tenths ahead.

What makes you not feel completely comfortable in the car?

« That’s about it. The settings aren’t very different from those in Bahrain, but it’s mainly the track circumstances that sometimes make me feel uncomfortable. Now I have to adapt. I think it will be better during the race because in race simulation, we were good. »

So, what is the goal for the race?

« We’ll see. It’s hard to predict. First of all, the goal is to get a good start and then have two good opening laps. You shouldn’t get tangled up so that you are in a good position and score points. A good strategy will also be needed to climb as many places as possible. We saw last year that in all the GP2 races, there are good opportunities for overtaking. It’s certain that on a track like Barcelona, it’s more complicated. With a good strategy, there is a way to do something well. »

We were able to see during the second race in Bahrain that you had difficulties at the start. Were you able to take advantage of the three-week break to improve in this area?

« Certainly in Bahrain, for the second race, the first problem was the start. It was bad. So I found myself in a bad position where you shouldn’t be, and things like that happen. So I worked on the start, which is not easy in GP2 with the clutch that is quite complicated compared to the World Series. It’s a bit new for me, but now I think I understand it well. All that’s left is to perform well this afternoon. »

You had a perfect start to the season, with a win in your very first race in Bahrain. Did you expect to be so successful right from the beginning of the season?

« A little, yes, definitely! We did a lot of testing during the winter. We tried many different things. It’s certain that we weren’t always the fastest because, honestly, we weren’t chasing pure performance, unlike many other teams. This work paid off during the race. We’ll have to maintain this pace throughout the year. »

How did your integration into the ART Grand Prix team, renowned for its prestigious track record, go?

« ART Grand Prix is one of the best teams in GP2. They have proven it in the past, they have won many races, many championships. The guys who work here have been around for a long time, almost since the beginning of GP2. They are people who have a lot of experience. They know how to manage a car and a new driver in GP2. »

The clear goal of the season is the title?

« I believe so! It’s my ambition to be consistent all year round. We’ll need to win races, and when we can’t, to score points because, in the end, it’s the one with the most points who wins the championship. »

Last year, you finished as runner-up in the Formula Renault 3.5. What differences do you see between the two single-seaters and between the two categories?

The two cars are quite different. Barcelona is a good circuit for comparison. In the World Series, there is much, much more downforce in the corners. You go faster in all the curves. But the GP2 is much more powerful. In terms of lap performance, the two categories are very close to each other. The times should be almost the same.

On the other hand, from a driving perspective, there are more differences. With GP2, there’s a bit more sliding, and the Pirelli tires degrade faster too. So it’s quite different from the World Series where you could push hard throughout the entire race.

Is it really the tire management that makes the difference compared to what you’ve experienced in other categories so far?

« Yes, for sure. It’s the biggest challenge for me. In qualifying, it’s not too noticeable because, in any case, we’re on the tire’s edge. What is difficult is managing them during the race, over 30 laps. Similarly, from a setup perspective, I’m still a bit new to really know how to set up the car to avoid destroying the tires. »

Last year, when you announced that you had turned down a seat with Toro Rosso, you stated that you intended to complete a second season in Formula Renault 3.5 to win the title. Why did you change your mind?

« First of all, the story with Red Bull was not true! I don’t know why they released that in the press. There was indeed contact with Helmut Marko. There was just a meeting scheduled, but we didn’t do it since I was already under contract with McLaren. So nothing happened. I never spoke to Red Bull.

For the transition from World Series to GP2, we decided it with my management. We found that GP2 was the best option for me, to learn and to prepare for F1. It’s easier when you arrive in F1 and you have understood the tires.

During a race weekend, are you 100% focused on GP2 or do you split your time between GP2 and F1 with McLaren?

« I am 100% focused on my job in GP2.

Your test driving for McLaren during the private Bahrain tests was canceled due to race retirements, which favored Kevin Magnussen. Is the one scheduled after this Spanish Grand Prix still on?

« Normally, yes, I drive on Wednesdays. »

What is your role as the third driver at McLaren?

« I do a lot of simulator work. In case there is a problem with Jenson or Kevin, I have to be ready to take over. I handle all the preparation in the simulator with the engineers. But during the race weekend, I do not participate in the technical meetings; I stay focused on GP2. »

Your rival from last year, Kevin Magnussen, is now a full-time driver at McLaren. Is the goal to join him as early as next season?

Yes, that’s exactly it. The goal is to succeed in my GP2 season, to win the title, and to show that I am ready for F1. Then, it will be necessary to find a seat for next year.

From our special correspondent in Barcelona