Stoffel Vandoorne’s decision ꦡto move into Formula E for the series’ fifth season was driven by a desire to link up with a manufacturer following his exit from Formula 1.

Vandoorne made his final F1 start for McLaren in Abu Dhabi afteဣr being dropped from the team’s line-up for 2019, with the Belgian opting to move into Formula E.

Vandoorne will race for HWA Racelab in the 2018-19 season, which will evolve into the Mercedes factory Formula E team for Season 6. Vandoorne will also work with Mercedes’ F1 operation in 2019, 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:becoming its simulator driver.

Asked by mahbx.com about his move into Formula E, Vandoorne stressed the importance of finding a link to a manufacturer after losing his F1 seat, with Mercedes’ plans proving particul✅arly attractive.

“I think I had a lot of discussions with Toto [Wolff, Mercedes’ head of motorsport] and their whole project, Me💦rcedes, was very attractive,” Vandoorn💃e said.

“I think for me what was important is to be involved with a manufacturer. I think to be linke🍎d with Mercedes and to work on that kind of level was extremely attractive.

“I ha❀d the opportunity to go there, I didn’t reallyౠ doubt about that, and I’m sure that we can be competitive in the future.

“When Mercedes sign up for something, they always do it properly, so I’m 100 percꦫent sure they’ll put a lot of effort into that program as well,♛ which is very exciting.”

Vandoorne will make his Formula E debut next week at the Ad Diriyah ﷺE-Prix in Saudi Ar🧸abia, racing alongside Mercedes DTM champion Gary Paffett for HWA.