Stoffel Vandoorne
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Belgian racer Vandoorne made a surprise Formula One debut at the Bahrain Grand Prix, necessitated by Fernando Alonso’s injuries at the Australian Grand Prix. Following the shunt between two-time World Champion Alonso and Haas F1’s Esteban Gutierrez in Melbourne, the Spaniard was deemed unfit by FIA medical officials to race in Bahrain.
Fresh off winning the GP2 title with consistent performances through 2015, Vandoorne partnered Jenson Button in Sakhir, and outperformed the 2009 champion. Experienced with the Sakhir circuit from his GP2 days, the 24-year-old outqualified the Briton, finishing the qualification session in P12 ahead of Button in P14.
He’d go one better come race day. With Button retiring with power issues after a strong start and a likely points finish, Vandoorne took on responsibility for the team, and finished his first ever Formula One race in the points.
It is unsure if he will get another ride in 2016 given Alonso will likely be recovered in time for the Chinese Grand Prix, but the driver has impressed on debut – and become the first Belgian driver to score points in Formula One since Thierry Boutsen finished fifth for Ligier in Australia in 1992.
Boutsen was not as well known, perhaps, as Belgian racing icon Jacky Ickx, who retired in 1979, and Vandoorne will look to emulate the records of Ickx, who, with eight wins and 25 podium finishes, was Belgium’s most successful Formula One driver.
