Vandoorne secures GP2 championship at Sochi
Stoffel Vandoorne has sealed the GP2 Driver's Championship at Sochi by finishing fourth in the feature race at Sochi, crucially ahead of his sole remainig rival, American Alex Rossi.
While Rossi won the GP2 race on Saturday, it was Australian Stanaway who crossed the finish line first in race 2, ahead of Haryanto and Marciello. McLaren's Vandoorne's 4th place finish was enough to secure the title with 4 races still remaining in the GP2 championship.
In the Teams’ Championship ART still leads the way from Racing Engineering, 328 points from 215.5, ahead of Campos on 186 points, DAMS on 172 and Rapax on 141 ahead of the next round in Bahrain.
Vandoorne, having finished last year's championship as runner-up, was obviously delighted with the result.
"That was pretty good! We knew before coming here that was our target. We could have done it yesterday, but things did not go 100% our way. But crossing the line in fourth today ahead of Alex Rossi was enough to do it. That’s what counts in the end.
"The job is done and now I have two weekends left in the season: I will be relaxed and have no pressure. I will push really hard for a couple more victories and finish the season on a high. To be crowned with two rounds to spare, it shows all the work we’ve done this season and how good it’s been together with ART. We’ve achieved great things over the past two years. We’ve broke nearly all the records this season. It’s one that I will definitely remember for ever."
As for what's next, the Belgian's targets are clear enough.
"Hopefully Formula One. It’s something I’ve been working on for quite some time, and now to have the GP2 title here is a bit of a luxury I would say with two rounds to go. The next one is in over a month, so I can concentrate on preparing next year which is great. Unfortunately, nothing is decided for the moment, but I’m optimistic. I feel there are some chances out there. The next days and weeks are going to be crucial for next year."
Vandoorne is a test driver for McLaren Honda, alongside Kevin Magnussen, and has repeatedly said he will look together with the team if and how he can move up into F1 for 2016.
