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.

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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."