Formula E: Stoffel Vandoorne 'never doubted' abilities after F1 as he closes on FE world title

Stoffel Vandoorne is on the verge of winning the Formula E world title this weekend in South Korea, and the Belgian has said that he never doubted his abilities even when things were tough in Formula 1.

Vandoorne has been the picture of consistency this year in the all-electric series, picking up just the one victory but several podiums and innumerable points-scoring finishes.

Indeed, in a series as wide open and as competitive as Formula E, it can be the case that the driver who can knit together the best string of results, rather than who gets the most wins, is the best bet for the title, and now we find Vandoorne with a 36-point lead heading into the final two races in Seoul.

It isn’t done and dusted by a long chalk, of course, but it is clear that Stoffel is in pole position to take the crown, and it’ll be a deserved moment for a driver who has shown his class time and again in the series.

Certainly, it’ll prove a particular high in his career, especially after joining the championship following a couple of tough seasons in Formula 1 with a rather uncompetitive McLaren car.

Reflecting on that, Vandoorne told the gathered media including GMS on a video call that he never doubted his talents, despite some of the tough patches in F1:

“I’m still the same guy, just a couple of years older!

“Obviously, Formula 1 was a different environment and a pretty tough time at the time but I was still confident in my abilities and my own talent and what I could do in a racing car and I think from the moment I joined Formula E I kind of knew that in the right conditions I should be able to fight for victories and for championships.

“The first year was a bit hard as a new team coming in, there were so many things to learn, but we had