Vandoorne gets McLaren Formula 1 reserve role and ART GP2 seat
Stoffel Vandoorne will become McLaren's Formula 1 reserve driver in 2014 and race in GP2 with ART
The deal is part of a wider tie-up between McLaren, its 2015 F1 engine supplier Honda and ART, which also involves Japanese driver Takuya Izawa joining ART's GP2 line-up.
Vandoorne was already part of McLaren's junior programme, though he has yet to test its F1 car.
The 21-year-old Belgian finished second to 2014 McLaren F1 driver Kevin Magnussen in last year's Formula Renault 3.5 series.
Vandoorne's full career statistics on FORIX
"I plan to take my responsibilities as McLaren-Mercedes' official Formula 1 reserve driver very seriously indeed, since I very much enjoy immersing myself in the technical aspects of Formula 1 grand prix weekends," said Vandoorne.
"I'll do whatever I can to help the team's two Formula 1 race drivers, Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen, both of whom are great guys and superb drivers, to achieve as much as they possibly can this season.
February 2013: Is Vandoorne a future McLaren F1 star?
"Going back to my own racing this season, GP2 is a prime feeder series for Formula 1, and GP2 cars are both powerful and fast.
"ART has an excellent track record in GP2, and I'm extremely grateful to Nicolas Todt and Frederic Vasseur, the team's two owners, for giving me this brilliant opportunity."
'HOMECOMING' FOR ART
Izawa, 29, is a long-time competitor in Japan's Super Formula (formerly Formula Nippon) and Super GT series. Third in the 2012 Nippon standings is his stand-out performance so far.
"I am feeling emotions which I never felt before," said Izawa, who also had a one-off outing with Honda's World Touring Car Championship programme last year.
"This will be a big challenge for me. However, understanding the importance of what comes beyond this challenge, I view it as a project where I definitely have to succeed.
"Of course, I feel pressure. However, I should be confident with what I learned during the six years I competed in the top category in Japan."
ART ran Lewis Hamilton to the 2006 GP2 title with McLaren's blessing, and Vasseur said he was delighted to resume that relationship.
"It's a bit of a homecoming in some respects and I am truly delighted to be working hand in hand with McLaren and Honda," he said.
"ART Grand Prix is also very happy to have two talented drivers, both intelligent and determined."
2014 GP2 line-up so far: Russian Time Carlin Julian Leal Racing Engineering Raffaele Marciello tbc DAMS Jolyon Palmer Stephane Richelmi ART Stoffel Vandoorne Takuya Izawa Hilmer Daniel Abt Rapax Simon Trummer Arden Rene Binder Andre Negrao Caterham Alexander Rossi Rio Haryanto MP Trident Lazarus Campos Arthur Pic
Andre Negrao moves to GP2 with Arden for 2014
Caterham F1 reserve Robin Frijns not planning to race in 2014
Ellis named as replacement for injured Auer in Bathurst 12 Hour
DTM race-winner Philip Ellis will make his Bathurst 12 Hour debut this week as a stand-in for the injured Lucas Auer.
Winning MSR Acura "super lucky" with Daytona 24 gearbox scare
The Meyer Shank Racing Acura team was "super lucky" to win the Daytona 24 Hours despite its malfunctioning gearbox for most of the race, according to team boss Michael Shank.
Bourdais “surprised” Cadillac was beaten on pace in Daytona 24 Hours
Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac driver Sebastien Bourdais said he was surprised that the victorious Acura ARX-06 outperformed his new V-LMDh in the Daytona 24 Hours IMSA SportsCar Championship season opener.
Daytona 24: MSR Acura opens GTP era with win, Proton snatches LMP2 by 0.016s
Meyer Shank Racing scored its second consecutive victory in the Daytona 24 Hours in the first race for the IMSA SportsCar Championship's new GTP regulations, leading an Acura 1-2 finish.
Ranking the 10 best drivers from F1's junior series in 2022
The ladder to F1 never gets any less slippery. But a strong cast of Formula 3 and Formula 2 aces proved sure of foot as they continued their climbs in 2022
The next steps for France's latest F1 hopeful after an F2 title miss
Theo Pourchaire entered the 2022 Formula 2 season a firm favourite for the title after remaining with ART Grand Prix for a second season. But an unexpected charge from Felipe Drugovich and MP Motorsport meant the Frenchman was forced to settle for second. What went wrong for the Sauber protege, and where does he go from here?
The remarkable career turnaround of an ever-improving F2 talent
Sixth in the F2 standings heading into this month's final round, but within touching distance of third, Enzo Fittipaldi has quietly put together a strong first full season in the Formula 1 support series, recovering well from the scary Jeddah start crash that cut his 2021 campaign short. It marks a turn in fortunes for the Brazilian who thought he'd bid hopes of a career in Europe goodbye two years ago
What the future holds for two Red Bull juniors fighting in the F2 battleground
Despite having two talented drivers, albeit at very different stages of their careers, Prema Racing has had mixed fortunes in FIA Formula 2 this year. Both drivers told Autosport how they rate their seasons so far – and their next steps beyond 2022
The problem sausage kerbs continue to cause
Track limits are the problem that motorsport doesn't seem to be able to rid itself of. But the use of so-called 'sausage kerbs' as a deterrent has in several instances only served to worsen the problem, and a growing number of voices want to see action taken
The on-form F1 protege carrying America's hopes on his shoulders
Two feature race wins in as many rounds have helped Logan Sargeant to emerge as the closest challenger to runaway Formula 2 points leader Felipe Drugovich. The Williams F1 junior couldn't have timed his rise better, with interest in grand prix racing on the rise in his US homeland, and he could be his country's best shot at getting a driver on the grid for the first time since 2015
What racing in Australia means for the future of F1's junior series
The announcement that FIA Formula 2 and 3 would race alongside the Australian Grand Prix from 2023 came as a surprise, not only to fans but to the series’ teams too. But with Formula 1’s boom in popularity bringing more fans to the championships, team principals are relishing the opportunity
The other Doohan charting his way to motorsport success
Heading into FIA Formula 2 this season, there was a lot of pressure on Jack Doohan. The 2021 F3 runner-up joined a new team for his next challenge, as well as signing up to the Alpine Academy. He told Autosport how he’s tackling the step up - with some help from his motorcycle legend father
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.