Stoffel Vandoorne was not given a Formula 1 seat for 2019 and instead turned to Formula E for a drive. Vandoorne believes that the series is very different to Formula 1 but is a step back to pure racing, something which he feels is lost in Formula 1. The former McLaren driver is 18th in Formula E and will hope to start improving as he attempts to get back into Formula 1.
“Formula E is very different from Formula 1 it’s a big switch,” Stoffel Vandoorne tells Top Gear.“It’s very different; it’s tricky with the energy management and knowing how to operate all the systems, but I’m enjoying it.
“I think it’s a big challenge for all of us. We’re racing in street circuits as well, which I really like. It’s a little bit of a mindset switch. You approach everything a little bit differently, everything is much more on the edge and the feeling is very fast because of how small the run-off is, you’re much more at the limit.”
“In Paris, for example, it’s a pop-up event for one day, so we are in a big tent, basically. The garage is a bit messy, we don’t have that much space, but it’s fun, it takes us back to pure racing."
Formula E has a very loyal fan base and perhaps Formula 1 can learn from some of their successes.