LIGHTS TO FLAG: Stoffel Vandoorne on his unexpected F1 debut, partnering Alonso at McLaren and becoming a world champion

Stoffel Vandoorne was one of motorsport’s most highly rated young drivers when he made his F1 debut with McLaren, first as a stand-in for the injured Fernando Alonso and then as the two-time champion’s team mate. In our latest Lights to Flag feature, the Belgian racer opens up on his journey to the top echelon, why it didn’t quite go to plan when he got there and the success that’s followed in other categories…

From kitchens to karting

Vandoorne was born in Kortrijk, West Flanders in March 1992, with an introduction to motorsport coming at the local indoor World Karts centre when he was around five years old thanks to a connection between his father, Patrick, and the track owner.