"When I started this journey four years ago with Mercedes, I was very confident that I was going to get the tools available to fight for a World Championship," said Vandoorne, still grinning after lifting the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship trophy.
Making his debut in Formula E with HWA Racelab - the team that would go on to become a full Mercedes-EQ works entry a season later - in the 2018 Diriyah E-Prix in Saudi Arabia, the Belgian driver got off to a rough start in the series, with five retirements in the first eight rounds. Despite the lack of beginners luck, Vandoorne showed promise in Rome in Season 5, with a third-placed finish that would pave the way for a more successful second half of the season and beyond.
"It's been an incredible journey - an emotional one as well today because it's been the last one for Mercedes. I'll have a lot of great memories - I'll remember the journey we've been through - the difficult times at the beginning but also the amount of success we've had, so I'll definitely miss this family. I'm just so proud of everyone to finish it the way we did today. World Champions, myself but also the team."
Rounding off more than three successful years in the all-electric championship, Mercedes-EQ will leave Formula E with four World Championship titles tied to its name. Topping the Teams' standings in both Seasons 7 and 8, the squad has now produced two title-winning drivers in Nyck de Vries and Vandoorne.
"When you race for a manufacturer like Mercedes, they've been so dominant in everything they enter but Formula E is different - it's not straightforward," said the Belgian.
"We managed to win both championships last year with Nick [de Vries] and this year was my turn. After last year, I had that down moment in London that took me out of the championship. So, this year I turned up and I didn't want to leave anything on the table. Nothing. And that's what I did all season - gave it my all and controlled it when I had to.
"There was only one victory, but the consistency we showed this year has been impressive, partly helped by the Groups and Duels qualifying system. I think it helped the most consistent drivers excel and it took away a little bit of the randomness. We had a beautiful story this season - the four of us got cut down to three and then the final two - myself and Mitch."
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From 'difficult beginnings' to World Champion - Vandoorne's remarkable rise explained | FIA Formula E - Formula E
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