Seidl can use Vandoorne as a reserve driver again: "He's available from Barcelona"

F1 News

13 August 2020 at 12:29
Last update 13 August 2020 at 14:22
  • GPblog.com

Last week it was announced that Paul di Resta would be on standby should Lando Norris or Carlos Sainz not be able to race for the McLaren team. Team boss Andreas Seidl now announces that Stoffel Vandoorne will be the reserve driver.

Formula E

Because of his obligations in Formula E, Vandoorne wasn't able to jump in the last two weekends in case a driver couldn't race. Vandoorne was actually the first choice to replace Sergio Perez, who tested positive on corona prior to the British Grand Prix.

"At the moment we have an agreement with Mercedes and we can make use of their reserve drivers in case there is a need on our part", says team boss Andres Seidl to Autosport.com.

Vandoorne available again

"What was special last weekend is that Stoffel Vandoorne simply wasn't available because he's racing in Formula E. But now that Stoffel is available again from Barcelona, he is our main guy", concludes Seidl.

Vandoorne drove two seasons for the McLaren team in 2017 and 2018 with Fernando Alonso as teammate. In 2019, the two drivers were replaced by the current lineup of the team.