Abu Dhabi: All eyes are on team ART Grand Prix’s Stoffel Vandoorne to see if he can break the record for most GP2 race wins at the season-ending Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit this weekend.
The 23-year-old Belgian wrapped up the drivers’ championship with four races to spare in Russia last month, and last week his side confirmed the constructors’ championship in Bahrain.
All that’s left to do now in the last two races of the season in Abu Dhabi — on Saturday and Sunday — is to write himself further into the history books before he leaves GP2 to join Formula One as a reserve driver for McLaren Honda next season.
The Belgian already holds the record for total number of GP2 podiums (25) and podiums per season (15), most points (545.5) and most points per season (316.5) after 42 races over two seasons in this F1 feeder series. On top of that he also holds the record for most pole positions (8) and most consecutive poles (six split over two seasons).
However, Vandoorne is still tied for most race wins on 10 with current Lotus F1 driver Pastor Maldonado (2007-2010), after taking four chequered flags last season and six in 2015. He’s also one short of equalling the record for total number of fastest laps, which is 11, held by current KV Racing Technology IndyCar Series driver Steffano Colleti (2009-2014). But as GP2 champion he won’t be able to return next season, meaning these final two races are his last shot at greatness.
“I want to prove that I am still really motivated even after winning the championship,” said Vandoorne. “It’s true that maybe after winning the title there is still a little bit less pressure but I’m really enjoying the rest of my season and probably that’s going to help me even more to go after more victories.
“All of the championships are won but there are still two races to go and I’m definitely going to enjoy them. These will be my last ones in GP2. I’m not allowed to come back next year unfortunately; so I will just enjoy them and we can finish off the season with a couple more wins.”
Meanwhile, things are a lot more open in the GP3 series ahead of the last two races of the season here on Saturday and Sunday. Italy’s Luca Ghiotto of Trident is on 227 points, just two points ahead of France’s Estaban Ocon of ART Grand Prix. And Germany’s Martin Kirchhofer of ART Grand Prix is on 173 points, just one point clear of Britain’s Emil Bernstorff of Arden International.
A maximum 50 points are up for grabs (25 points per win) meaning everything is still to race for this weekend.
