Stoffel Vandoorne will get the chance to take the wheel of Aston Martin’s 2023 F1 car as he conducts the Pirelli Tyre Test at Spa-Francorchamps after the Belgian Grand Prix.
As the backup driver for Aston Martin, Stoffel Vandoorne is looking forward to a key moment in his racing career: his first chance to pilot a Formula 1 car in the Pirelli test after the Belgian Grand Prix.
The Belgian is scheduled to drive Aston Martin’s 2023 F1 car in the week after the Belgian Grand Prix as he shares reserve and test driver duties in the team with Felipe Drugovich this season.
The test will be held at his home track, the prestigious Spa circuit, making the anticipation even more special.
“Can’t wait to drive an F1 car again! It’s been a while,” Vandoorne wrote on social media.
Vandoorne will complete the task to test the Pirelli 2024 tyres, much like Daniel Ricciardo did for Red Bull at Silverstone, but it would be quite a shock if he ended up with a full-time seat the same way Ricciardo did.
Felipe Drugovich who is yet another reserve driver with Aston Martin, will kindly move aside so that Vandoorne can take center stage during the Pirelli test. Drugovich has willingly provided his teammate the opportunity despite having already driven for Aston Martin during the official preseason tests.
Vandoorne’s last stint behind the wheel of a Formula One car came with Mercedes in the 2020 Young Drivers’ Test, which took place after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Prior to that, he drove for McLaren from 2017 to 2018.
The Belgian then switched to Formula E, where he won the championship, before beginning 2023 as a reserve and simulator driver for Aston Martin. He additionally supports McLaren in a similar way.
The Pirelli test will also feature participation from McLaren in addition to Aston Martin.
This year, Pirelli has tested a variety of tires, beginning in June at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz from Ferrari as well as George Russell and Mick Schumacher from Mercedes all participated in the test.
