Mercedes suddenly found out at Silverstone that the reserve drivers were not even allowed to drive even if necessary. Esteban Gutierrez turned out not to have a super license anymore and Stoffel Vandoorne was busy in Formula E. However, that problem has now been solved.
Now the Formula E season is over, Vandoorne is now completely ready if he has to fill in for Mercedes or a Mercedes customer. Mercedes' spare drivers are also ready for Racing Point if they need a driver, but they had to bring Nico Hulkenberg back due to the problem. McLaren can also call on the Belgian.
Vandoorne back in Formula 1?
''At McLaren it shouldn't be a problem at all to get back in, because I still know a lot of people there. Of course I haven't driven a Formula 1 car for a long time. That will take some getting used to in the beginning, but with all the work I do for Mercedes I have to get back into it quickly," Vandoorne told Autosport.com.
''That would mean that there is something going on with another driver, so I never really hope to have to fall in. That's a different situation. You never know if you have to step in, but I'm ready if you need to," the former McLaren driver concluded.