McLaren eager to learn from Vandoorne mistakes

McLaren boss Zak Brown is seeking changes to the way his team operate after admitting some regrets held with former driver Stoffel Vandoorne.

Vandoorne is now driving in Formula E, following two underwhelming seasons with McLaren - with the Belgian driver being replaced by rookie Lando Norris.

Reflecting on Vandoorne's spell at McLaren, Brown has admitted there were mistakes on the team's side, as well as Vandoorne himself.

"Someone like Stoffel is an extremely good race car driver, and for whatever reason, it didn't work out," Brown told Crash.net. "We take some responsibility for that and want to understand why this driver had such a great pedigree but it didn't work out, and we don't want to replicate that where we may have got that wrong or contributed to that lack of success.

"One of the things that we recognised is I think we need some additional racers in the McLaren family.

"When you look at Gil's (De Ferran's) pedrigree, first and foremost as a driver, then as a IndyCar team owner, then as a sportscar owner, he's got a well-rounded understanding having won championships with Roger Penske of what success looks lke from many different aspects of the garage, including sitting in the cockpit.

"One of Gil's primary roles is to make sure that everyone gels, including the driver. So he'll be spending time both with Lando and Carlos (Sainz) making sure that we give them the best environment to work in."