Stoffel Vandoorne joins Jaguar as reserve driver

Having failed to secure a starting seat, Stoffel Vandoorne is consoled by a reserve role. The Belgian will become Jaguar's shadow man for season 12, after leaving Maserati and the Stellantis fold.

After seven seasons as a starter, notably at Classic Mercedes for sale, where he won the title in 2021-2022, the one who also wore the colors of Peugeot en WEC failed to secure a seat on the grid for season 12, which was confirmed earlier this week with the announcement of Pepe Marti's arrival at Cupra Kiro, the latest official announcement to complete the grid.

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“I am delighted to be joining Jaguar TCS Racing as a reserve driver for the upcoming season,” rejoices the 33-year-old pilot. “This is a team I have long admired for its performance and professionalism, and I look forward to contributing to their continued success. I look forward to supporting the team both on and off the track, and helping to develop the Jaguar I-TYPE 7 to its full potential.”

The former Maserati driver joins Tom Dillmann, who will begin a sixth season as a reserve and development driver at Jaguar. “Over the years, I have seen the team become a true championship contender, and I am proud to have contributed to this adventure,” rejoices the Frenchman, who will participate, with Vandoorne and the holders Mitch Evans and Antonio Félix da Costa, in the development of the GEN4, expected for the 2026/2027 season. “The energy is high for this season, and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together,” continues Dillmann.

Are the doors closing for Vandoorne?

For Vandoorne, the announcement of his arrival at Jaguar comes at a time of uncertainty regarding his future. The Belgian currently finds himself in the dark: his commitment to Peugeot in the WEC ended before the final round in Bahrain to make way for Theo Pourchaire, while in Formula E he will have to watch the races from the Jaguar garage.

“There are tracks, Vandoorne explained to us in September when discussing his future. I'm a racing driver, so I'd like to progress in the best possible conditions, like I've had in recent years in WEC and FE. The ideal would be to continue both programs, but it's not an obligation. The most important thing is to have a competitive project, which allows me to fight at the front. I don't race just to race."

In the WEC, he remains on the lookout for remaining opportunities, notably at Genesis, where he is on the shortlist to fill the two remaining spots. Is he still in contention? The Belgian absolutely wanted a WEC-FE double program in 2026, while the South Korean manufacturer would have a preference for drivers focusing solely on theEndurance. So, by playing on both sides, Vandoorne risks missing out on a great opportunity, while Paul-Loup Chatin and Mathieu Jaminet are also being considered for the two remaining places. His name has also appeared in Alpine in recent days, but according to our information, his profile was not considered by the French team.

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With Valentin Glo.