Vandoorne called up by Aston Martin for Pirelli F1 tyre test at Spa

32-year-old Belgian, former F1 driver will test the Aston Martin AMR24 at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 July after the Grand Prix weekend.

After winning the 2015 Formula 2 Championship in his second season in the feeder series, Vandoorne spent 2017 and 2018 as a McLaren driver, and teammate to Fernando Alonso before the Belgian was released by the team. He went on to compete in Formula E and was the electric-series. World Champion in 2021-2022.

Speaking of his return to an F1 cockpit, at his home track, Vandoorne said: “I’m really looking forward to driving the AMR24 for the first-time next week in Spa. It always feels special to be back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car, and even more special to be doing it at my home circuit.

"As an official test, we’ll be running different tyre compounds and constructions to provide Pirelli with feedback. With some high and low-speed corners it provides a useful range of data points and there’s usually a high chance of some wet weather running too," added Vandoorne.

Formula 1 goes into mid-season summer hibernation after the Belgian Grand Prix, with Vandoorne having to wait a couple of days longer. Round 14, the Dutch Grand Prix, in a month's time, marks the start of the second and final stanza of the 24-race 2024 F1 World Championship