Vandoorne is confident: 'Normally I would be in the Mercedes'

Now that Lewis Hamilton has tested positive for the coronavirus and will not be racing in the Sakhir Grand Prix this weekend, it remains to be seen who will replace him. In any case, Stoffel Vandoorne is confident he'll at least be considered.

Belgian media Sporza spoke with Stoffel Vandoorne for the recording of a new podcast. "I have a contract with Mercedes as reserve driver, but they decide," said Vandoorne. But you never know. "In Formula 1, a contract doesn't always mean something, but I'm very positive: if something happens, I normally get into the car."

Vandoorne drove for McLaren in 2017 and 2018 in Formula 1. After losing his seat at McLaren to Carlos Sainz, he switched to Formula E, where he finished second in the championship last season. In Formula E he will drive together with Nyck de Vries for Mercedes. Apart from Vandoorne, George Russell and - there he is again - Nico Hulkenberg are mentioned as possible replacements for Hamilton.

On Twitter the Belgian driver feeds the rumours a little bit.