McLaren’s Fernando Alonso has admitted that his team mate, Stoffel Vandoorne, has had a “difficult” start to his first full-time year in Formula 1.
2017 is difficult for Stoffel Vandoorne – Fernando Alonso
Speaking to Spain’s El Confidencial, Alonso said: “It is difficult and frustrating for him. He does not know most of the tracks, so he’s learning the circuits and everything about Formula 1 but he can’t test the car and often he is going into qualifying with no preparation. It is a difficult season for him and also for the team in general, and myself too. We hope to have a competitive car next year.”
After the first eight races of the 2017 Season, Vandoorne lies in 20th place with 0 points to his name – the lowest position of all drivers competing full-time in Formula 1 this year. In the sister McLaren, Alonso lies in 17th place with two points – the team’s only points of 2017 so far.
Throughout this season, Vandoorne has consistently been on the back foot when compared to Alonso, with the Spaniard pointing this out regularly in an attempt to secure a more competitive seat in Formula 1 for 2018.
Vandoorne is also under pressure from team members at McLaren, with Eric Boullier also acknowledging that Vandoorne is struggling having told the Belgian to adapt more quickly to the sport, leaving question marks as to whether the driver’s place at the team for the future is secure.
Prior to competing in Formula 1, Vandoorne impressed many in junior racing series and memorably became the 2015 GP2 champion, beating Alexander Rossi in the series by an impressive 160 points. The strong results that Vandoorne has achieved in junior series however, may have given the driver a reputation that proceeds him, explaining why he is expected to deliver so soon into his career.
Main Photo
