Source: McLaren Media Centre

F1 News

McLaren want Vandoorne to beat Alonso

McLaren want Vandoorne to beat Alonso

10-08-2018 11:02
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Bobby Vincent

McLaren now want Stoffel Vandoorne to out-perform team-mate Fernando Alonso as they consider the Belgian's future for 2019.

Vandoorne has really struggled to make a serious impact in Formula One this season, in his second full-season.

The Belgian driver only has eight points compared to Alonso's 44 that he's picked up.

Alonso is still yet to decide on his future and whether he will be with McLaren in 2019, and Vandoorne is under serious pressure to keep his seat for next season.

McLaren have publically said their interest in Carlos Sainz Jr. who will not be driving for Renault next season following Daniel Ricciardo's shock announcement to leave Red Bull for the French side.

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has been talking about Vandoorne's future with the Woking-based team.

"I wouldn't say we're disappointed with Stoffel," Brown told Autosport.

"You'd like to see him beating his team-mate more often than he has. That's the same in any situation. You'd love to see your team-mates split right down the middle in beating each other every weekend.

"He's not been able to do that on a regular basis but I wouldn't say we're disappointed because last year we know we gave him a very difficult situation and this year we've not given him a very good car to work with.

"Given Fernando's talent and experience he's able to adapt to situations that aren't great. We all believe Stoffel's done an excellent job but we would like to see him beat Fernando more often."