Vandoorne feels confidence flowing for 2018

Stoffel Vandoorne says he is confident of being able to hit the ground running with McLaren in 2018. The Belgian struggled to match the performance of world-champion team-mate Fernando Alonso in his rookie year, but hopes the experience of a season in Formula 1 will stand him in good stead.

Of the six races both McLarens finished in 2017, Vandoorne only got the better of his team-mate in Malaysia, set up by a superb qualifying performance.

Much has been expected of the 2015 GP2 champion in the premier formula, although he struggled to display his full potential in an underpowered McLaren last season still hampered by its Honda power unit.

With Renault on board for 2018, and a full season under his belt, Vandoorne now hopes to show F1 what he is really capable of.

"It's definitely very different, the feeling this year compared to last year," he said.

"Obviously last year I was a rookie, I had to learn a lot of things, go through a lot of things, testing was kind of getting myself ready.

"[This year] I turned up and the moment I stepped into the car everything feels so natural, normal, straightaway, where you are, you have a good feeling about everything.

"I spend a lot of time at the factory as well with the aerodynamicists to try and develop the car in the way I want it, so far everything is very positive, very happy, and I can't complain."

Though McLaren suffered numerous breakdowns in pre-season, Vandoorne spoke with cautious optimism about the season ahead.

"The feeling is positive, I don't want to make any predictions now, I think it's better for us to keep working hard and deliver a strong package," he said.

"Then it's up to us to go racing and deliver some good results, we'll have to wait and see."