The Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team announced on Tuesday that former McLaren F1 and current ABB FIA Formula E driver Stoffel Vandoorne has joined the Silverstone-based outfit as their official test and reserve driver.
The Belgian driver will complete his duties with the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One team alongside his Formula E commitments with DS Penske.
Speaking about the news, Vandoorne said:
It is incredibly exciting to be stepping into a reserve-driver role in Formula One – and I’m delighted to be doing it with Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One™ Team. I’ve watched with great interest how the team has developed and expanded operationally, and I know how incredibly determined it is to make progress in every area. Joining Fernando, who I already know from my Formula One racing career, and Lance, to help them develop and improve next year’s car will be a terrific job, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge – and reward – of working together with the whole organisation at Silverstone.
Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team Principal Mike Krack commented saying:
Stoffel has all the capabilities we need for this new and expanded role within the team: he is fast, analytical, hard-working and a fantastic team player, and will fit perfectly into our growing organisation, working alongside our other test driver, Felipe Drugovich. The whole team is hugely motivated for next year, and the appointment of Stoffel, alongside Fernando, Lance and Felipe, gives extra depth to our fantastic driver line-up. This will be a significant role for Stoffel, and we will be reliant on him to work hard with both our track and simulation and engineering teams to improve our performance for 2023 and beyond.