"Winning with consistency," Formula E driver Stoffel Vandoorne turns on the ignition before the Monaco E-Prix

For him, the Monaco E-Prix, whose 2025 edition sees two races with one this Saturday and another this Sunday - a format never before seen in the Principality - is a unique turn. More like twice than once! Firstly, because Stoffel Vandoorne left his flat native country to take up residence at the foot of the Rock. Secondly, because the 33-year-old Belgian driver, Formula E world champion in 2022, is this year wearing the shining suit of the Maserati MSG Racing team established very close to the legendary turnstile where the electric single-seaters will be close to the limit. Winner in 2022 and third in 2024 on Boulevard Albert-Ier, Fernando Alonso's former F1 teammate would love to return to the podium this weekend. Contact!

Stoffel, since Formula E doesn't put the watts in Belgium, do you consider the Monaco E-Prix your home race?

Oh yes, absolutely. Here, I'm at home. In the evening, I come home and sleep in my bed. A welcome comfort, believe me.

It seems you've put down roots in the Principality. Can you confirm?

I moved to Monaco eight years ago. And I have no intention of moving anywhere else tomorrow or the day after. Because it's the perfect place to recharge your batteries between competition weekends. There's everything you need to train. Life is calm, except during the week of the F1 Grand Prix, of course. And you quickly get used to this weather. Seeing the sun often is good for your morale!

And do you like the circuit?

Frankly, this is a fantastic track for the FE. Since the Monaco E-Prix has been held on the Grand Prix track, there's been a lot of drama, suspense, and overtaking. In Formula 1, qualifying is crucial. In Formula E, it still plays an important role. But then, the polesitter doesn't start with a huge advantage. Strategy can change the situation. You can overtake. A big difference.

In 2022, at Mercedes, you won in Monaco. Was it as thrilling as the day you became Formula E world champion at the end of season 8?

A great moment in my career, for sure. I had already embraced victory in Monaco in GP2 (2015, editor's note) . To do it again in a professional category bringing together several manufacturers... Fabulous! Every normal driver dreams of making their mark in Monaco. It's a unique feeling.

Tell us about your new team: Maserati MSG Racing, Italian or Monegasque team?

(He laughs) Let's say a little more Monegasque! Simply because the team is based here. Design office, simulator... Monaco Sports Group is the former Venturi structure created by Gildo Pastor at the very beginning of Formula E. Its roots are here.

You scored points in four of the first five races but didn't find a podium finish. What was missing to perform a little better?

I haven't been lucky lately. In Saudi Arabia, I qualified third... and I was downgraded. It's a shame because with our excellent top speed on the Jeddah track, we could have aimed for the podium. In Miami, I still did well in qualifying (6th) . But then, we didn't get on the right track. There's still a way to pick up a few more points. Unfortunately, the red flag that interrupted the race five laps from the finish (after the accident of British teammate Jake Hughes, hit by DS-Penske driver Maximilian Günther) ruined my chances (14th) . At the very beginning of the season, overall, we struggled a bit with understanding the tires, especially in qualifying. So the key going forward is to manage the time trial well. If we start in the top 5, there will definitely be opportunities to finish high up.

You're now 14th in the rankings, a good fifty points behind the leader. What's your goal?

Winning the title seems complicated to me. Even if the road ahead is still long. Even if everything can change very quickly in Formula E. The number 1 priority now is to gain consistency. To keep winning races and remain consistently at the front.

With the new Gen3 Evo single-seater, will you be turning much faster here?

Yeah, at least two seconds, I think. Four-wheel drive really improves performance when you engage "Attack Mode" (temporary power boost) . And the softer Hankook tires maximize grip.

The final word: in Monaco, two races are better than one?

(Embarrassed smile) Pff, to be honest, I'm not a big fan of the format introduced this year. Normally, in Monaco, there's only one race per year. Only one driver enters the winners' list. Here, unless there's a double, we'll have two different winners who will share the honors. That takes something away. And it's a Monegasque peculiarity because we don't ask ourselves the question elsewhere.