Vandoorne: Sebring MSR Acura Drive Currently a “One-Off”

Photo: MPS Agency

Stoffel Vandoorne says his ride in next month’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring with Meyer Shank Racing is currently a “one-off” although has not completely ruled out additional opportunities with the team in the future.

The ex-Formula 1 and current ABB FIA Formula E World Championship driver has been called in to replace Helio Castroneves in the Rolex 24 at Daytona-winning lineup alongside full-season drivers Oliver Jarvis and Tom Blomqvist.

Vandoorne revealed that it was Blomqvist, who were co-drivers at JOTA Sport in the FIA World Endurance Championship last year, that ultimately helped get him this ride after Castroneves became unavailable due to his NTT IndyCar Series commitments at Texas Motor Speedway that weekend.

“Normally the endurance races that Shank are doing, it’s either Helio and Simon,” Vandoorne explained.

“They did Daytona with with Tom, Jarvis, Helio and Simon Pagenaud but they are both racing in IndyCar that weekend so there’s a clash.

“I think originally they were they were looking to kind of take an overnight private plane to try and combine those races, but I think logistically it just became way too difficult.

“Tom, obviously spoke with the team about who he thought we could bring into the team that would be a good fit, and he proposed me to the team because of our past relationship we’ve had this last year racing for JOTA in endurance.

“I think in a lot of ways, it’s great, because we know each other perfectly with the endurance side, even the seat, you know, we’re using the same seat. That makes a lot of things actually a lot easier.

“It was all very last minute, but I’m very happy to, to to have the opportunity to race in IMSA and first time in Sebring as well.”

While competing full-time in Formula E with Mercedes-EQ, Vandoorne said he’s open to additional opportunities in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship or with MSR although admitted it’s currently unlikely for the short-term with the Ohio-based squad.

Castroneves is expected to complete the Michelin Endurance Cup season as the third driver in the No. 60 Acura ARX-05 at the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen and Motul Petit Le Mans.

“I think naturally, they’ll revert to to Helio and Simon, but who knows,” Vandoorne said.

“I’m available if anything comes up, but at the moment it’s just a one off, it’s going to be Sebring, and then at least we’ll have that relationship and then then we see in the future.”

Sam Smith contributed to this report

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John