Stoffel Vandoorne insists there's 'less politics' in Formula E than F1
Vandoorne joined the electric series after leaving McLaren last November, following three seasons in Formula 1
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Your support makes all the difference.Stoffel Vandoorne insists there’s “less politics” in Formula E compared to its rival Formula 1.
Vandoorne joined the growing sport after leaving McLaren last November, following three seasons in Formula 1.
Despite enduring a difficult start to life in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship - with his HWA team getting to grips with the series in their first season on the grid – the Belgian says he’s making the most of his new career.
“If feels like it’s all about the racing, so I’m enjoying it. I think there’s less politics involved than Formula 1, so I’m just enjoying my time in Formula E.
“The racing is fun, we’re going to some nice cities as well. The fact it’s all on street circuits is very exciting and in qualifying you feel like a hero in the car because you’re not always 100 percent in control, there’s a lot of action going on and one small mistake you’re in the wall.”
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Hong Kong E-Prix, Vandoorne did admit though that he’s struggled to “acclimatise” to the demands of Formula E.
“It’s not been the start of the season we were hoping for,” he said.
“There’s been a lot of difficulties we’ve been going through, and we’ve not really been rewarded with what could have been.
“Obviously I didn’t have a lot of time to think about it [the switch to Formula E] and to acclimatise with it, but it’s been really positive and refreshing to be in the Formula E paddock.
The Belgian’s HWA Racelab team will become a fully-fledged Mercedes factory outfit next season, and the ex-McLaren man is adamant that his long-term future lies in Formula E, and not its more established cousin.
“I’m definitely seeing this as the longer term now” he added.
“Knowing what is happening with my team in the future becoming a manufacturer team, there is huge opportunity there for me to be part of a very successful team.
“I’ve got the chance to be involved with that project, and it’s exciting. We know with Mercedes that everything championship they are joining they are not just coming to join. They are there to build the strongest car as possible and go for the victory.”
The Hong Kong E-Prix has become one of the flagship events in the Formula E calendar, with the street circuit around Victoria Harbour taking in the city’s main sights. Sunday’s race is the 50th Formula E race to take place, and the sport will be televised live on BBC2 for the first time.
“It’s a new opportunity and a very different challenge” said Vandoorne about the testing ten-turn circuit.
“I think it’s the first real Formula E track we are going to. It’s an extremely bumpy, narrow circuit and it feels like it’s going to be a challenge to everyone.
The HKT Hong Kong E-Prix is live on BBC2 from 7.30am on Sunday, with the race at 08.00am.
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