Vandoorne: "Bumper cars" Formula E crashes look "quite amateur"
Stoffel Vandoorne says the crashes in the London E-Prix made “bumper cars” Formula E look “quite amateur” while he feels “bloody hurt” after being wiped out of the race lead.
The Belgian, who Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff reckons “deserves to be in Formula 1" amid links to a Williams seat in 2022, snared pole at the ExCeL on Sunday and had earned an early control over the race.
But Vandoorne lost the lead after Lucas di Grassi controversially drove through the pitlane during a safety car period and climbed seven places to emerge in first place.
Vandoorne admitted he was a “little bit confused” when he saw the Audi released in front of him but had assumed the car to be a lap down.
The Mercedes Formula E racer was later knocked out of second place - which would have been the victory after di Grassi was black-flagged for not serving a penalty - after a sizeable hit from Nissan e.dams driver Oliver Rowland at the Turn 10 hairpin.
Rowland, who acknowledged his brake lock up was “completely my fault”, had blamed di Grassi for giving Vandoorne limited options to change his line through the tight corner.
But Vandoorne disputed di Grassi’s role in the shunt and instead explained to Autosport his emotional pain after losing the anticipated win.
He now sits just 13th in the standings ahead of the double-header Berlin season finale in August.
He said: “[I feel] pretty shit, to be honest. I just can't hide it. It just really bloody hurt.
“You're leading the race, everything under control.
“But then obviously the story with di Grassi was a little bit confusing at first but to be fair, that doesn't really influence what happened - the incident with Ollie.
“I've spoken with Ollie, and he takes the blame fully. He said he was out of control.
“He never would have made the corner and completely locked up the brakes.
“I was flying today. I could pull the gaps when I had to take attack modes. Everything was under control. It's massively frustrating. There's no one in the team that we can blame. We showed today that I was the quickest guy on the track.”
Stoffel Vandoorne, Mercedes-Benz EQ, EQ Silver Arrow 02, Oliver Rowland, Nissan e.Dams, Nissan IMO3, Alex Lynn, Mahindra Racing, M7Electro,Mitch Evans, Jaguar Racing, Jaguar I-TYPE 5 , Nyck de Vries, Mercedes-Benz EQ, EQ Silver Arrow 02, the rest of the field at the start
Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
Vandoorne was initially spun and after selecting reverse, he resumed in 16th.
He climbed to 12th at the flag, helped in part by the late crash at the Turn 10 hairpin that eliminated under pressure Venturi Racing driver Norman Nato and pre-event points leader Sam Bird.
Vandoorne was eventually classified 15th after copping a five-second penalty for passing under yellow flag conditions but took aim at the driving standards after the track was strewn in bodywork following a spate of late crashes.
This, Vandoorne reckoned, made the series looked “quite amateur” after a round of “bumper cars”.
He told Autosport: “It felt quite amateur out there, seeing all the bodywork left, right, centre, everywhere.
"It felt more like bumper cars than anything else.”
Related video
Previous article
Rast, Buemi at odds over race-ending London Formula E clash
Next article
Why Audi was right and wrong in Formula E's loophole row
#ThinkingForward with Susie Wolff
Jaguar Racing: Monaco E-Prix Highlights
How motorsport's most prominent power couple found joint success
The Wolffs have carved their own paths in motorsport, leading their respective teams to success in Formula 1 and Formula E. But the two came together last month as their drivers finished first and second in the FE drivers' championship - a feat they are hugely proud of. In a rare joint interview, they reflect on a remarkable season
The top 10 Formula E drivers of 2020-21
OPINION: The 2021 Formula E campaign was one without a narrative for much of the season, with no single car or driver able to break away from the pack. That makes choosing a top 10 especially difficult, particularly as the qualifying format meant some worthy performers were unable to enjoy their day in the sun
How Mercedes and De Vries achieved Formula E glory the hard way
When Nyck de Vries dominated the first race of what would be the most controversial and unpredictable Formula E season to date, it looked as though Mercedes was in for a cakewalk. But as the campaign wore on, the path to a title double became increasingly rocky. Neither driver or team would be assured of the crown until the closing stages of the very final race on a weekend of struggle in Berlin
The Formula E 'loan' deal that will keep its original missionary winning
OPINION: The departure of Audi from Formula E meant its long-time driver Lucas di Grassi would need to find a new berth to stay on the grid. His deal at Venturi Racing will ensure the championship's first-ever race winner will remain competitive into the final year of the current Gen2 ruleset - although it may not be a long-term fit
The problems laid bare by Mercedes' impending Formula E departure
Mercedes' planned withdrawal from Formula E at the end of the 2022 season will contribute to the big hole left by fellow automotive manufacturers Audi and BMW on their departures. Although the team may stick around under a different guise, the exit of the now-reigning teams' champion underlines FE's current issues...
The F1 dilemma facing Mercedes' new world champion
After clinching the Formula E title at the Berlin finale, Nyck de Vries is a driver in demand. Although Mercedes would love to keep a reigning champion at the team, the allure of a Williams F1 drive may be too much for de Vries to ignore should a potential deal come to pass
How de Vries claimed Formula E title glory as Mercedes exit bombshell looms
As Formula E lined up to complete its seventh season at Berlin's Tempelhof Airport, all eyes were on who would be its first official FIA world champion. Despite Nyck de Vries' title lead heading into the weekend looking all but secure, the Dutchman held on - and enjoyed a good dollop of fortune - to secure a championship double for Mercedes
Why a brutal title defence can still yield another Formula E crown
It hasn't been properly reflected by the points table, but Antonio Felix da Costa has been nigh-on flawless in his Formula E title defence in 2021. Returning to the scene of his Berlin dominance in 2020, he has the chance to set the record straight and claim a remarkable against-the-odds second title
