Stoffel Vandoorne appointed as Peugeot’s reserve driver in Endurance racing

Stoffel Vandoorne’s schedule will be very busy in 2023. The former McLaren F1 driver will indeed be involved in three championships.

First, his main activity will remain Formula E. The current champion of the discipline with Mercedes, the native of Courtrai found refuge this season at DS-Penske. The French premium brand of the Stellantis group will also have a formidable duo since the Belgian will be teammates with Jean-Eric Vergne, also a former F1 driver and double Formula E champion.

Then, Vandoorne was appointed as the reserve driver for Aston Martin in Formula 1 in late 2022, replacing Nico Hülkenberg, who was promoted to Haas. In the event that the regular drivers, Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso, are unable to compete, the team based in Silverstone could call upon the Flemish driver, as was the case at the beginning of last season when Hülkenberg replaced Sebastian Vettel who had contracted Covid-19.

Finally, for Peugeot’s return to competition, Vandoorne has just been appointed as a reserve driver as part of the Lion brand’s Endurance program. The Belgian will thus reunite with Jean-Eric Vergne, who will be a regular driver in one of the two 9X8 cars this season in WEC. A logical choice for Peugeot, given that DS and Peugeot are part of the same group and that the sports divisions of these two manufacturers share the same roof next to Versailles.

Despite a year that promises to be intense for him, Vandoorne sees no problem in juggling between the different disciplines: “For me, the calendar is the perfect balance between Endurance, Formula E, and Formula 1. It’s great to be able to participate in the development of the 9X8. We are going to build a bright future together,” the Belgian declared on the occasion of his appointment.