Belgian thought to be in contention to replace Jenson Button in 2016
Friday 16 September 2016 11:25, UK
Stoffel Vandoorne says winning the GP2 title will "prove he's ready for F1" as the McLaren youngster eyes a 2016 seat.
The Belgian has dominated the F1 feeder series this season and enjoys an 85 points lead at the head of the drivers' standings.
With the returning Fernando Alonso the marquee signing of the McLaren-Honda partnership, Vandoorne has emerged as a potential replacement for Jenson Button. The Woking squad have an option to retain the 2009 champion for 2016, but his future appears far from certain with Button admitting it is 'not a given' he will remain at McLaren.
"Winning GP2 would prove I'm ready for Formula 1 and then we will see where I end up," Vandoorne told Sky Sports News HQ.
"Nothing is decided for next year, I am still focussing very much on GP2 and trying to win that title. I do have regular talks with Ron [Dennis] and Eric [Boullier] about my future, but nothing is decided yet."
Despite GP2 giving drivers the chance to showcase their abilities in front of the F1 teams, Romain Grosjean remains the last champion to graduate to F1 after securing the 2011 title. Since then Davide Valsecchi, Fabio Leimer and Jolyon Palmer have all been crowned, but have only secured test driver roles in F1, and Vandoorne knows winning the GP2 title does not guarantee him a race seat next year.
"I think Formula 1 has always been a very competitive sport and even in the past there have been some big names or big talents that haven't made it to Formula 1," the 23-year-old added.
"I am aware that even if I win GP2 it is not a guarantee that I get to Formula 1, but I am pushing as hard as I can to get there.
"Formula 1 has always been my goal since I was a kid, so I am trying to push as hard as I can at the moment in GP2 and that is where my main focus is at the moment.
"That is the only place I can prove myself this season, that is where I race, so every time I get on track I try to be quickest in practice, in qualifying and try to win races. That is the best way for a driver to put yourself in the picture."
Vandoorne joined McLaren's young driver programme in 2013 and finished as runner-up in the Formula Renault 3.5 in his rookie season, a feat he repeated in GP2 last year.
