Aston Martin has confirmed that it has retained Stoffel Vandoorne as its simulator, take a look at and reserve driver for 2026.
The Belgian driver has been a part of the Silverstone outfit since 2023, initially becoming a member of because the reserve and simulator driver alongside 2022 System 2 champion Felipe Drugovich.
After making his System 1 debut in 2016 with McLaren, the place he additionally served as a reserve driver, the 33-year-old made 41 race begins and picked up 26 factors. He has additionally raced within the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2019, 2021 and 2024, the World Endurance Championship with a greatest end of second in 2021, and System E, the place he gained the championship within the 2021-22 season.
Vandoorne will function the simulator, take a look at and reserve driver for Aston Martin with Jak Crawford because the workforce’s third driver. Which means if one of many workforce’s important drivers, Fernando Alonso or Lance Stroll, is unable to race, Crawford would be the first choice to take the place.
“Momentum continues. Collectively,” the workforce shared. “Stoffel will stay in his position as Simulator, Take a look at and Reserve Driver in 2026, whereas Jak continues because the workforce’s Third Driver.”
Followers praised the choice. “Put him in the primary seat and also you’ll have 2 aggressive drivers,” one fan commented, whereas one other added: “Consistency within the cockpit is a serious aggressive benefit. This line-up presents the right stability of expertise and rising expertise.”
The announcement from Aston Martin comes throughout non-public testing for the 2026 F1 season in Barcelona. Whereas the testing started on Monday 26 January, the Lawrence Stroll-owned workforce plans to get on monitor on Thursday.
“The AMR26 will probably be in Barcelona later this week for its shakedown. Our intention is to run Thursday and Friday,” Aston Martin informed Motorsport.com.
Aston Martin can be scheduled to unveil the livery of the AMR26 throughout a launch occasion on 9 February, earlier than testing in Bahrain on 11-13 February and 18-20 February.
We wish your opinion!
What would you prefer to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Staff
