Under-pressure Vandoorne challenged to beat Alonso
Under-pressure Vandoorne challenged to beat Alonso
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has laid down the challenge to Stoffel Vandoorne, saying the off-form Belgian must start beating world champion teammate Fernando Alonso in the closing rounds of the 2018 season as he fights for his future in the British team.
Vandoorne is the only driver on the grid yet to qualify ahead of his teammate in 2018, having come off worse than Alonso on Saturday at all 12 grands prix so far this year.
Having scored points in three of the first four races, Vandoorne has not finished in the top 10 since, and is outscored by his veteran stable-mate 44 to eight.
READ MORE: Vandoorne out of McLaren in Belgium - report
READ MORE: Ricciardo's Renault move leaves Vandoorne as the biggest loser
With attention now switching to 2019, it appears Vandoorne's position in the team is unstable, with Carlos Sainz Jr linked to the team and Lando Norris pushing for a promotion from the junior ranks, while Alonso will have the choice of whether he remains in the team or not - although the lure of IndyCar may prove too strong.
Reports this week suggested that Vandoorne may not even see the Belgian Grand Prix, if Lance Stroll were to secure an early move to Force India, setting off a chain reaction that would ultimately end with Vandoorne as the one to lose out the most.
Although the former GP2 champion has struggled to live up to the hype, Brown suggested that McLaren are yet to lose all patience with him.
"I wouldn't say we're disappointed by Stoffel," said Brown. "You'd like to see him beating his teammate more often than he has.
"That's the same in any situation. You'd love to see your teammates 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."
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Newey TURNED DOWN F1 rivals before Red Bull decision
- 33 minutes ago
Newey's wife 'scoping out properties' in MAJOR hint over next move
- 1 hour ago
Marko reveals how Verstappen has HELPED Perez at Red Bull
- 2 hours ago
Ferrari bound Bearman set to make key F1 move
- 3 hours ago
F1 News Today: Verstappen delivers MAJOR Newey warning as Hamilton hints at Ferrari swoop
- Today 12:11
F1 decision announced regarding points system change
- Today 11:58
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860